Highlights from the Book of Joel

Treasures from God’s Word WT Library References

Index

Source Material ...... 1

Special Note ...... 1

An Introduction to the Book of Joel...... 2

Summary of the Highlights of the Book of Joel ...... 3

Locust invasion to strip the land; the day of Jehovah is near (1:1–2:11) ...... 3 Israel invited to return to Jehovah; His spirit to be poured out (2:12-32) ...... 3 The nations will be judged in “the low plain of Jehoshaphat” (3:1-21) 3

Joel – Outline of Contents ...... 4

Why Beneficial ...... 4

Treasures from God’s Word ...... 5

WT Library Highlights ...... 6

Treasures from God’s Word

Chapters 1-3 “Your Sons and Your Daughters Will Prophesy” . 5

WT Library Reference

Chapters 1-3 ...... 6

Highlights from the Book of Joel

Source Material

This material has been sourced from the updated 2016 Watchtower Library compact disk. Scriptures Included. Only verses that are explained in some way are included in the Scripture Index. Hence, if the material explains the meaning of the text, gives its background, tells why the text was written, or clarifies an original-language word and its implications, the text would be indexed, since the verse or part of it is explained. Scriptures that are used as proof texts but that are not explained are omitted. For example, Ezekiel 18:4 may be used merely to show that the soul dies. In this instance, the scripture would not be indexed, since no explanation of the text is given.

Additional personal research is encouraged.

Special Note

Occasionally you will notice that in the Treasures from God’s Word section of our Meeting Workbook that references will appear that are not included in the Watchtower Library disk or on www.wol.jw.org when searching a particular scripture reference.

Page 1

Index Joel Highlights from the Book of Joel

An Introduction to the Book of Joel

Joel prophesied to the two-tribe kingdom of Judah during the ninth century B.C.E., and he appears to have recorded his prophecies about 820 B.C.E., in the days of king Uzziah. Joel was a contemporary of the prophets Jonah and Amos. The book contains three chapters and it warns of the approaching day of Jehovah. Chapters 1 & 2 mention a locust plague that will devastate the land, leaving famine in its wake. The locusts have teeth like those of a lion. They run like horses, scale walls like soldiers, and sound like chariots charging into battle. Although false worship flourishes in Jerusalem and Judah, Jehovah will not let the rebellious conduct of the people continue. Judah's only hope lies in repenting, and turning to Jehovah. Did you know? The Apostle Paul quoted Joel when he said “everyone who calls on the name of Jehovah will be saved”. Calling on God's name involves knowing him, trusting him, obeying him, and putting him first in our life. In chapter 3 the nations are called to account for mistreating God's people. They are to be crushed like grapes and a wine press. Then Jehovah promises future Kingdom blessings, both physical and spiritual. In heaven, and on earth, all will be united in pure worship As you study the book of Joel note how those who make themselves enemies of God fare badly; how different the outcome is for those who repent and return to him; and, how Joel's prophecy finds fulfillment in the proclamation of God's kingdom.

Page 2

Index Joel Highlights from the Book of Joel

Summary of the Highlights of the Book of Joel

A vivid prophecy emphasizing Jehovah’s vengeance and his mercy Written possibly about 820 B.C.E., nine years after Uzziah became king and about a century after Jehovah’s great victory over Moab, Ammon, and the inhabitants of Seir in the days of Jehoshaphat Locust invasion to strip the land; the day of Jehovah is near (1:1–2:11) The coming plague will be talked about for generations The vegetation of the land will be stripped so that grain and drink offerings will cease at Jehovah’s house Priests are told to mourn and cry to Jehovah for help Jehovah’s day is marked by a destructive invasion of “his military force” Israel invited to return to Jehovah; His spirit to be poured out (2:12-32) The inhabitants of Zion are invited to “come back” to Jehovah; he will restore their prosperity and protect them from “the northerner” Jehovah will pour out his spirit on his people, and he will give portents in the heavens and on earth before his “great and fear-inspiring day” Those calling on Jehovah’s name will escape during his great day The nations will be judged in “the low plain of Jehoshaphat” (3:1-21) The nations will be judged for mistreating God’s people They are challenged to prepare themselves for war against Jehovah and to come down to the low plain of Jehoshaphat; there they will be crushed like grapes in a winepress At that time Jehovah will be a refuge for his people Egypt and Edom will become a wilderness, whereas Judah will be inhabited and produce abundantly; Jehovah will reside in Zion

Page 3

Index Joel Highlights from the Book of Joel

Joel – Outline of Contents

An inspired book of the Hebrew Scriptures written by “Joel the son of Pethuel.” (Joe 1:1) Virtually nothing is known about this prophet’s life. From his references to Judah, Jerusalem, and Jehovah’s house there, it may be inferred that he prophesied in Judah and perhaps resided in Jerusalem. (1:9, 14; 2:17, 32; 3:1, 2, 16-20) The fact that he mentioned “the low plain of Jehoshaphat” (3:2, 12) implies that he wrote his book after Jehovah’s great victory on behalf of King Jehoshaphat. But the exact period involved is in question.

Why Beneficial

12 Some commentators have described Joel as a prophet of gloom. However, from the point of view of God’s own people, he appears as the proclaimer of glorious tidings of deliverance. The apostle Paul emphasizes this thought at Romans 10:13, saying: “For ‘everyone who calls on the name of Jehovah will be saved.’” (Joel 2:32) There was a striking fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy on the day of Pentecost 33 C.E. On that occasion Peter was inspired to explain that the outpouring of God’s spirit upon Christ’s disciples was a fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy. (Acts 2:1-21; Joel 2:28, 29, 32) Peter laid great stress on the prophetic import of Joel’s words: “And everyone who calls on the name of Jehovah will be saved.”—Acts 2:21, 39, 40. Striking similarities can be seen between the locust plague described by Joel and the plague prophesied in Revelation chapter 9. Again the sun is darkened. The locusts resemble horses prepared for battle, they make a sound like that of chariots, and they have teeth like those of lions. (Joel 2:4, 5, 10; 1:6; Rev. 9:2, 7-9) Joel’s prophecy at Joel 2:31, which tells of the sun turning into darkness, is paralleled as an event by the words at Isaiah 13:9, 10 and Revelation 6:12-17, and also at Matthew 24:29, 30, where Jesus shows the prophecy to apply at the time he comes as the Son of man with power and great glory. The words of Joel 2:11, “the day of Jehovah is great and very fear-inspiring,” are apparently referred to at Malachi 4:5. Parallel descriptions of this ‘day of darkness and thick gloom’ are also to be found at Joel 2:2 and Zephaniah 1:14, 15.

The prophecy of Revelation looks forward to “the great day” of divine wrath. (Rev. 6:17) Joel also prophesies of that time, showing that when the great “day of Jehovah” comes upon the nations, those who call on him for protection and deliverance “will get away safe.” “Jehovah will be a refuge for his people.” Edenic prosperity will be restored: “And it must occur in that day that the mountains will drip with sweet wine, and the very hills will flow with milk, and the very streambeds of Judah will all flow with water. And out of the house of Jehovah there will go forth a spring.” In presenting these bright promises of restoration, Joel also magnifies the sovereignty of Jehovah God and appeals to those of sincere heart on the basis of His great mercy: “Come back to Jehovah your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abundant in loving-kindness.” All who heed this inspired appeal will reap eternal benefits.—Joel 2:1, 32; 3:16, 18; 2:13.

Page 4

Index Joel Highlights from the Book of Joel- Treasures from God's Word

Treasures from God’s Word Chapters 1-3 “Your Sons and Your Daughters Will Prophesy”

Anointed Christians share in the work of prophesying. They speak about “the magnificent things of God” and proclaim the “good news of the Kingdom.” (Ac 2:11, 17-21; Mt 24:14) The other sheep support them by participating in this work What does it mean to ‘call on the name of Jehovah’?

• To know the name

• To respect the name

• To rely on and trust in the One who bears that name Ask yourself, ‘How can I support the anointed in their work of prophesying?’

1 A severe insect plague (1-14) “The day of Jehovah is near” (15-20) The prophet calls to Jehovah (19, 20) 2 Jehovah’s day and his great army (1-11) A call to return to Jehovah (12-17) “Rip apart your hearts” (13) Jehovah’s response to his people (18-32) “I will pour out my spirit” (28) Wonders in heaven and on earth (30) Those calling on Jehovah’s name will be saved (32) 3 Jehovah judges all the nations (1-17) Valley of Jehoshaphat (2, 12) Valley of decision (14) Jehovah, a fortress for Israel (16) Jehovah blesses his people (18-21)

Page 5

Index Joel Highlights from the Book of Joel -WT Library References

WT Library Highlights Chapters 1-3

(Joel 1:1) The word of Jehovah that came to Joel the son of Pe·thuʹel:

*** w07 10/1 p. 12 par. 1 Highlights From the Books of Joel and Amos *** ALL he tells about himself is that he is “Joel the son of Pethuel.” (Joel 1:1) In the book bearing his name, Joel says so little about matters other than his message that even the time of his prophecy can only be estimated—about 820 B.C.E., nine years after Uzziah became king over Judah. Why is Joel so reticent about himself? The likely reason is that he wants to emphasize the message and not the messenger. (Joel 1:2) “Hear this, you elders, And pay attention, all you inhabitants of the land. Has anything like this happened in your days Or in the days of your forefathers?

*** w98 5/1 p. 8 par. 4 Jehovah’s Day Is Near *** 4 Through his prophet, Jehovah says: “Hear this, you older men, and give ear, all you inhabitants of the land. Has this occurred in your days, or even in the days of your forefathers? Concerning it give an account to your own sons, and your sons to their sons, and their sons to the following generation.” (Joel 1:2, 3) The elders and all the people could expect something the like of which had not happened in their lifetime or in the days of their forefathers. So striking would it be that it would be recounted to the third generation! What was this remarkable event? To find out, let us imagine that we are back in Joel’s day.

*** w89 3/15 p. 30 Call on Jehovah’s Name and Get Away Safe! *** 1:2—Joel addressed the “older men” who had misled the nation. Because the “inhabitants of the land” followed that false lead, they were also accountable in Jehovah’s eyes. Today, the religious leaders of Christendom have similarly misled their flocks. Like Joel, Jehovah’s Witnesses have directed messages to that clergy class. Yet, the people in general must have God’s Word declared to them because they too will render an account to Jehovah.— Isaiah 9:15-17; Romans 14:12. (Joel 1:3) Tell about it to your sons, And let your sons tell about it to their sons, And their sons to the next generation.

Page 6

Index Joel Highlights from the Book of Joel -WT Library References

*** w92 5/1 p. 11 Keep Close in Mind the Day of Jehovah *** A Locust Band 9 Listen now to “the word of Jehovah that occurred to Joel”: “Hear this, you older men, and give ear, all you inhabitants of the land. Has this occurred in your days, or even in the days of your forefathers? Concerning it give an account to your own sons, and your sons to their sons, and their sons to the following generation. What was left by the caterpillar, the locust has eaten; and what was left by the locust, the creeping, unwinged locust has eaten; and what the creeping, unwinged locust has left, the cockroach has eaten.”—Joel 1:1-4. 10 This is a campaign extraordinaire, one that will be memorialized for all time. Wave upon wave of insects, most prominently locusts, devastate the land. What does this mean? Revelation 9:1-12 also speaks of a plague of locusts, sent forth by Jehovah under “a king, the angel of the abyss,” who is none other than Christ Jesus. His names Abaddon (Hebrew) and Apollyon (Greek) mean “Destruction” and “Destroyer.” These locusts picture the anointed remnant of Christians who, now in the Lord’s day, go forth to devastate Christendom’s pastures by completely exposing false religion and proclaiming Jehovah’s vengeance upon it. 11 As indicated by Revelation 9:13-21, the locust plague is succeeded by a huge plague of cavalry. How true this is today, as the few thousand remaining anointed Christians are reinforced by more than four million “other sheep” together making up an irresistible cavalry! (John 10:16) They unite in proclaiming Jehovah’s stinging judgments on Christendom’s idolaters and on those who ‘do not repent of their murders nor of their spiritistic practices nor of their fornication nor of their thefts.’ Clergy—both Catholic and Protestant—who have actively supported the murderous wars of this century, as well as pedophiliac priests and perverted TV evangelists, are among those against whom these judgment messages are directed. (Joel 1:4) What was left by the devouring locust, the swarming locust has eaten; And what was left by the swarming locust, the unwinged locust has eaten; And what the unwinged locust has left, the voracious locust has eaten.

*** w98 5/1 pp. 8-9 pars. 5-6 Jehovah’s Day Is Near *** 5 Listen! Joel hears a distant roar. The sky darkens, and that eerie sound increases as the darkness extends overhead. Then a smokelike cloud descends. It is an army of millions of insects. And what devastation they cause! Now consider Joel 1:4. The insect invaders are not limited to the winged migratory locusts. Oh, no! Coming, too, are hungry hordes of creeping, wingless locusts. Brought on the wind, the locusts arrive suddenly, and their sound is like that of chariots. (Joel 2:5) Because of their voracious appetite, millions of them can quickly turn a virtual paradise into a wilderness. 6 Also on the move are caterpillars—the larval stage of moths and butterflies. Vast armies of hungry caterpillars can shear away the leaves of vegetation piece by piece, leaf by leaf, until plants are nearly denuded of their greenery. And much of what they leave, the locusts eat. And what the locusts leave, fast-moving cockroaches are sure to finish off. But notice this: At Joel chapter 2, verse 11, God identifies the locust army as “his military force.” Yes, he was the Source of the locust plague that would devastate the land and cause severe famine. When? Just before “the day of Jehovah.”

Page 7

Index Joel Highlights from the Book of Joel -WT Library References

*** w92 5/1 p. 11 Keep Close in Mind the Day of Jehovah *** A Locust Band 9 Listen now to “the word of Jehovah that occurred to Joel”: “Hear this, you older men, and give ear, all you inhabitants of the land. Has this occurred in your days, or even in the days of your forefathers? Concerning it give an account to your own sons, and your sons to their sons, and their sons to the following generation. What was left by the caterpillar, the locust has eaten; and what was left by the locust, the creeping, unwinged locust has eaten; and what the creeping, unwinged locust has left, the cockroach has eaten.”—Joel 1:1-4. 10 This is a campaign extraordinaire, one that will be memorialized for all time. Wave upon wave of insects, most prominently locusts, devastate the land. What does this mean? Revelation 9:1-12 also speaks of a plague of locusts, sent forth by Jehovah under “a king, the angel of the abyss,” who is none other than Christ Jesus. His names Abaddon (Hebrew) and Apollyon (Greek) mean “Destruction” and “Destroyer.” These locusts picture the anointed remnant of Christians who, now in the Lord’s day, go forth to devastate Christendom’s pastures by completely exposing false religion and proclaiming Jehovah’s vengeance upon it. 11 As indicated by Revelation 9:13-21, the locust plague is succeeded by a huge plague of cavalry. How true this is today, as the few thousand remaining anointed Christians are reinforced by more than four million “other sheep” together making up an irresistible cavalry! (John 10:16) They unite in proclaiming Jehovah’s stinging judgments on Christendom’s idolaters and on those who ‘do not repent of their murders nor of their spiritistic practices nor of their fornication nor of their thefts.’ Clergy—both Catholic and Protestant—who have actively supported the murderous wars of this century, as well as pedophiliac priests and perverted TV evangelists, are among those against whom these judgment messages are directed. (Joel 1:5) Wake up, you drunkards, and weep! Wail, all you wine drinkers, Because the sweet wine has been taken from your mouths.

*** w98 5/1 p. 9 Jehovah’s Day Is Near *** “Wake Up, You Drunkards”! 7 A disreputable crowd, Judah’s religious leaders are singled out when the command is uttered: “Wake up, you drunkards, and weep; and howl, all you wine drinkers, on account of sweet wine, for it has been cut off from your mouths.” (Joel 1:5) Yes, the spiritual drunkards of Judah were told to “wake up,” to sober up. But do not think that this is merely ancient history. Right now, before the great day of Jehovah, Christendom’s clergy are figuratively so full of sweet wine that they are barely conscious of this summons from the Most High. How surprised they will be when they are aroused from their spiritual drunken stupor by the great and fear-inspiring day of Jehovah!

Page 8

Index Joel Highlights from the Book of Joel -WT Library References

*** w92 5/1 p. 12 par. 12 Keep Close in Mind the Day of Jehovah *** 12 To such depraved “gentlemen” of the cloth, Jehovah’s summons rings out: “Wake up, you drunkards, and weep; and howl, all you wine drinkers, on account of sweet wine, for it has been cut off from your mouths.” (Joel 1:5) In this 20th century, Christendom’s religion has substituted the world’s permissiveness for the clean moral principles of God’s Word. It has seemed sweet to false religion and its parishioners to imbibe the ways of the world, but what a harvest of spiritual and physical disease they have reaped! Soon, as described at Revelation 17:16, 17, it will be God’s “thought” for the political powers to turn on the entire world empire of false religion, Babylon the Great, and devastate her. Only then, as she sees Jehovah’s decision being carried out against her, will she “wake up” from her drunken stupor. (Joel 1:6) For a nation has come up into my land, mighty and without number. Its teeth are the teeth of a lion, and its jaws are those of a lion.

*** w98 5/1 pp. 9-10 pars. 8-9 Jehovah’s Day Is Near *** 8 Look at that great locust army! “There is a nation that has come up into my land, mighty and without number. Its teeth are the teeth of a lion, and it has the jawbones of a lion. It has set my vine as an object of astonishment, and my fig tree as a stump. It has positively stripped it bare and thrown it away. The twigs of it have become white. Wail, as a virgin girded with sackcloth does over the owner of her youth.”—Joel 1:6-8. 9 Is this just a prophecy about “a nation” of locusts, a locust swarm, invading Judah? No, there is more to it than that. At both Joel 1:6 and Revelation 9:7, God’s people are represented by locusts. The modern-day locust army is none other than the military force of Jehovah’s anointed locusts, now joined by some 5,600,000 of Jesus’ “other sheep.” (John 10:16) Are you not glad to be part of this great throng of Jehovah’s worshipers? (Joel 1:7) It has devastated my vine and turned my fig tree into a stump, Stripping them completely bare and tossing them aside, Leaving their twigs white.

*** it-1 p. 831 Fig *** In view of this prominence of the fig tree in the life of the people, it is understandable why it was so frequently used in prophecy. Because of its importance to the nation’s food supply the utter failure of the fig crop would be calamitous. Thus, the fig tree received special mention when destruction, or ruination, was foretold for the land.—Jer 5:17; 8:13; Ho 2:12; Joe 1:7, 12; Am 4:9; Hab 3:17. (Joel 1:8) Wail as a virgin wearing sackcloth does For the bridegroom of her youth.

*** it-2 p. 1158 Virgin *** According to the Law, a man who seduced an unengaged virgin had to give her father 50 silver shekels ($110), was to marry her (if her father permitted), and was not allowed to divorce her “all his days.” (Ex 22:16, 17; De 22:28, 29) But an engaged virgin, being viewed as already belonging to a husband, was to be stoned to death if she did not scream when sexually attacked. Her failure to scream would have denoted consent and thus would have constituted her an adulteress. (De 22:23, 24; compare Mt 1:18, 19.) The fact that an engaged virgin was regarded as being ‘owned’ by a husband also explains

Page 9

Index Joel Highlights from the Book of Joel -WT Library References

why Joel 1:8 could refer to “a virgin” as wailing over “the owner of her youth.” (Joel 1:9) Grain offering and drink offering have ceased from the house of Jehovah; The priests, the ministers of Jehovah, are in mourning.

*** it-2 p. 448 Mourning *** Figurative and Prophetic Use. Figuratively, even the land is represented as mourning because of devastations caused by invading armies or by a plague. (Jer 4:27, 28; Joe 1:10-12; contrast Ps 96:11-13.) In its desolation, the land would grow up in weeds and develop a neglected, uncared-for appearance, like that of a person who has not attended to his face, hair, or clothing while in mourning. Similarly, land devastated by a plague upon the crops presents a mournful sight.

*** w98 5/1 p. 10 par. 10 Jehovah’s Day Is Near *** 10 At Joel 1:9-12, we read of the effects of the locust plague. One swarm after another bring about complete desolation of the land. Lacking grain, wine, and oil, the unfaithful priests cannot continue their functions. Even the ground mourns, for the locusts despoiled it of grain, and fruit trees were left without fruitage. With the grapevines ruined, there is no more wine for those Baalistic wine bibbers who were also spiritual drunkards. (Joel 1:11) Farmers are dismayed, vinedressers wail, Because of the wheat and the barley; For the harvest of the field has perished.

*** w98 5/1 p. 10 par. 10 Jehovah’s Day Is Near *** 10 At Joel 1:9-12, we read of the effects of the locust plague. One swarm after another bring about complete desolation of the land. Lacking grain, wine, and oil, the unfaithful priests cannot continue their functions. Even the ground mourns, for the locusts despoiled it of grain, and fruit trees were left without fruitage. With the grapevines ruined, there is no more wine for those Baalistic wine bibbers who were also spiritual drunkards. (Joel 1:12) The vine has dried up, The fig tree has withered. The pomegranate, the palm, and the apple, All the trees of the field have dried up; For joy has turned to shame among the people.

Page 10

Index Joel Highlights from the Book of Joel -WT Library References

Joe 1:7, 12; Am 4:9; Hab 3:17.

*** w98 5/1 p. 10 par. 10 Jehovah’s Day Is Near *** 10 At Joel 1:9-12, we read of the effects of the locust plague. One swarm after another bring about complete desolation of the land. Lacking grain, wine, and oil, the unfaithful priests cannot continue their functions. Even the ground mourns, for the locusts despoiled it of grain, and fruit trees were left without fruitage. With the grapevines ruined, there is no more wine for those Baalistic wine bibbers who were also spiritual drunkards. (Joel 1:13) Put on sackcloth and mourn, you priests; Wail, you ministers of the altar. Come in and spend the night in sackcloth, you ministers of my God; For grain offering and drink offering have been withheld from the house of your God.

*** w98 5/1 p. 10 Jehovah’s Day Is Near *** “Beat Your Breasts, You Priests” 11 Listen to God’s message for those wayward priests: “Gird yourselves, and beat your breasts, you priests. Howl, you ministers of the altar.” (Joel 1:13) In the first fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy, Levitical priests served at the altar. But what about in the final fulfillment? Today, Christendom’s clergy have assumed authority to serve at God’s altar, claiming to be his ministers, his “priests.” However, what is happening now that God’s modern-day locusts are on the move? 12 When the “priests” of Christendom see Jehovah’s people in action and hear their warning of divine judgment, they become frantic. They beat their breasts in vexation and rage at the devastating effect of the Kingdom message. And they howl as their flocks slip away from them. With their pastures being denuded, let them spend the night in sackcloth, mourning over their loss of income. Before long, they will lose their jobs too! In fact, God tells them to mourn all night because their end is near. (Joel 1:14) Proclaim a fast; call for a solemn assembly. Gather the elders together, with all the inhabitants of the land, To the house of Jehovah your God, and cry to Jehovah for help.

*** w98 5/1 pp. 10-11 par. 13 Jehovah’s Day Is Near *** 13 According to Joel 1:14, their only hope lies in repenting and crying “to Jehovah for aid.” Can we expect Christendom’s entire clergy class to turn to Jehovah? Of course not! Individuals among them might respond to Jehovah’s warning. But the spiritually famished state of these religious leaders and their parishioners as a class will continue. The prophet Amos foretold: “‘Look! There are days coming,’ is the utterance of the Sovereign Lord Jehovah, ‘and I will send a famine into the land, a famine, not for bread, and a thirst, not for water, but for hearing the words of Jehovah.” (Amos 8:11) On the other hand, how grateful we are for the rich spiritual feast that God lovingly provides through “the faithful and discreet slave”!—Matthew 24:45-47.

Page 11

Index Joel Highlights from the Book of Joel -WT Library References

(Joel 1:15) Woe because of the day! For the day of Jehovah is near, And it will come like a destruction from the Almighty!

*** it-1 pp. 594-595 Day of Jehovah *** A sense of urgency is attached to the day of Jehovah by the prophets, who repeatedly warned of its nearness. “The great day of Jehovah is near. It is near, and there is a hurrying of it very much.” (Zep 1:14) “Alas for the day; because the day of Jehovah is near.” “Let all the inhabitants of the land get agitated; for the day of Jehovah is coming, for it is near!”—Joe 1:15; 2:1, 2. Times of Destructive Judgment. From certain features of the prophecies, and in view of subsequent events, it appears that the expression, “the day of Jehovah,” at least in a miniature way, referred to different times of destructive judgment that occurred long ago at the hands of the Most High. For example, Isaiah envisioned what would befall unfaithful Judah and Jerusalem on “the day belonging to Jehovah of armies,” which was coming “upon everyone self-exalted and lofty” among them. (Isa 2:11-17) Ezekiel addressed himself to the unfaithful prophets of Israel, warning that they would in no way serve to fortify their cities “in order to stand in the battle in the day of Jehovah.” (Eze 13:5) By the mouth of his prophet Zephaniah, Jehovah foretold how he was about to stretch out his hand against Judah and Jerusalem, giving special attention so that not even the princes or the sons of the king would escape. (Zep 1:4-8) As the facts show, that “day of Jehovah” came upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem in 607 B.C.E.

*** w98 5/1 p. 11 par. 14 Jehovah’s Day Is Near *** 14 The locust plague was and is a harbinger of something. Of what? Joel plainly tells us, saying: “Alas for the day; because the day of Jehovah is near, and like a despoiling from the Almighty One it will come!” (Joel 1:15) The worldwide forays of God’s locust army today clearly indicate that the great and fear-inspiring day of Jehovah is near. Surely, all righthearted ones long for that special day of reckoning when divine judgment is executed against the wicked and Jehovah comes off victorious as Universal Sovereign. (Joel 1:19) To you, O Jehovah, I will call; For fire has devoured the pastures of the wilderness, And a flame has consumed all the trees of the field.

*** w98 5/1 p. 11 par. 15 Jehovah’s Day Is Near *** Amid such conditions, what happened to Joel? According to verse 19, he said: “To you, O Jehovah, I shall call.” Today, too, many heed the divine warnings and cry out to Jehovah God in faith. (Joel 2:1) “Blow a horn in Zion! Shout a war cry in my holy mountain. Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble, For the day of Jehovah is coming! It is near!

Page 12

Index Joel Highlights from the Book of Joel -WT Library References

it is near!”—Joe 1:15; 2:1, 2. Times of Destructive Judgment. From certain features of the prophecies, and in view of subsequent events, it appears that the expression, “the day of Jehovah,” at least in a miniature way, referred to different times of destructive judgment that occurred long ago at the hands of the Most High. For example, Isaiah envisioned what would befall unfaithful Judah and Jerusalem on “the day belonging to Jehovah of armies,” which was coming “upon everyone self-exalted and lofty” among them. (Isa 2:11-17) Ezekiel addressed himself to the unfaithful prophets of Israel, warning that they would in no way serve to fortify their cities “in order to stand in the battle in the day of Jehovah.” (Eze 13:5) By the mouth of his prophet Zephaniah, Jehovah foretold how he was about to stretch out his hand against Judah and Jerusalem, giving special attention so that not even the princes or the sons of the king would escape. (Zep 1:4-8) As the facts show, that “day of Jehovah” came upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem in 607 B.C.E.

*** yb98 p. 3 Jehovah’s Witnesses—1998 Yearbook Report *** WITH a tone of great urgency, the prophet Joel foretold the coming of the day of Jehovah. And he identified the key to survival when he wrote: “It must occur that everyone who calls on the name of Jehovah will get away safe.”—Joel 1:15; 2:1, 28-32. Such a day of Jehovah came upon Jerusalem in 607 B.C.E. It was a time when Jehovah executed judgment. Years in advance he had warned the inhabitants of Judah and of Jerusalem that they faced serious accountability for treating him with disrespect. Oh, they knew his name and made use of it, but they did not sincerely inquire of Jehovah for direction. They did not really feel that Jehovah would call them to account for what they were doing. (Neh. 9:26; Zeph. 1:4-6, 12) For them to call out to Jehovah in the day of distress would be a mockery, and Jehovah said that he would not listen. (Jer. 11:10, 11) But when Jerusalem was destroyed, lovers of righteousness such as Jeremiah, Baruch, Ebed-melech, and the sons of Jonadab were spared because they were earnestly seeking to do what is right and pleasing to God. (Joel 2:2) It is a day of darkness and gloom, A day of clouds and thick gloom, Like light of dawn spreading out on the mountains. There is a people numerous and mighty; Never before has there been one like it, And never again will there be another Through the years of all generations.

*** w07 10/1 p. 13 par. 1 Highlights From the Books of Joel and Amos *** 2:1-10, 28—How has the prophecy about the invasion by insects been fulfilled? There is no record in the Bible of an insect invasion of the land of Canaan of the magnitude described in the book of Joel. Therefore, the assault Joel describes is apparently pictorial of the time in 33 C.E. when Jehovah started to pour out his spirit upon early followers of Christ and they began preaching the message that tormented false religious leaders. (Acts 2:1, 14-21; 5:27-33) It is our privilege to share in a similar work today.

*** re chap. 22 pp. 142-143 pars. 2-5 The First Woe—Locusts *** 2 The Bible book of Joel, written during the ninth century B.C.E., describes a plague of insects, including locusts, that is similar to the one that John sees. (Joel 2:1-11, 25) It was

Page 13

Index Joel Highlights from the Book of Joel -WT Library References

to cause much discomfort for apostate Israel but would also result in individual Jews’ repenting and returning to Jehovah’s favor. (Joel 2:6, 12-14) When that time arrived, Jehovah would pour out his spirit upon “every sort of flesh,” while fearful signs and alarming portents would precede “the coming of the great and fear-inspiring day of Jehovah.”—Joel 2:11, 28-32. A First-Century Plague 3 There was a fulfillment of Joel chapter 2 in the first century. It was then, at Pentecost 33 C.E., that holy spirit was poured out, anointing the first Christians and empowering them to speak “the magnificent things of God” in many tongues. As a result, a large crowd assembled. The apostle Peter addressed those astonished onlookers, quoting Joel 2:28, 29 and explaining that they were witnessing its fulfillment. (Acts 2:1-21) But there is no record of a literal insect plague at that time, causing discomfort to some and leading others to repentance. 4 Was there a figurative plague during those days? Yes, indeed! It came as a result of the relentless preaching of the newly anointed Christians. Through them, Jehovah invited those Jews who would listen to repent and enjoy blessings from him. (Acts 2:38-40; 3:19) The individuals who responded received his favor to a remarkable degree. But to the ones who refused the invitation, the first-century Christians became like a devastating swarm of locusts. Starting in Jerusalem, they spread through all Judaea and Samaria. Soon they were everywhere, tormenting the unbelieving Jews by publicly proclaiming Jesus’ resurrection, with all that this implied. (Acts 1:8; 4:18-20; 5:17-21, 28, 29, 40-42; 17:5, 6; 21:27-30) That plaguing continued until the “fear-inspiring day,” in 70 C.E., when Jehovah brought the Roman armies against Jerusalem to destroy it. Only those Christians who in faith called on the name of Jehovah were saved.—Joel 2:32; Acts 2:20, 21; Proverbs 18:10. The Locust Plague Today 5 Reasonably, we could expect Joel’s prophecy to have a final fulfillment in the time of the end. How true this has proved to be! At the Bible Students’ convention at Cedar Point, Ohio, U.S.A., September 1-8, 1919, a notable outpouring of Jehovah’s spirit activated his people to organize a global campaign of preaching. Of all professed Christians, they alone, recognizing that Jesus had been enthroned as heavenly King, spared no effort in publishing abroad that good news. Their relentless witnessing, in fulfillment of prophecy, became as a tormenting plague to apostate Christendom.—Matthew 24:3-8, 14; Acts 1:8.

*** w92 5/1 p. 12 Keep Close in Mind the Day of Jehovah *** “A People Numerous and Mighty” 13 Jehovah’s prophet goes on to describe the locust horde as “a people numerous and mighty,” and so it seems to Babylon the Great. (Joel 2:2) Its clergy, for instance, bewail the fact that Christendom’s religions have failed to make converts in Buddhist Japan. Yet, today, more than 160,000 Japanese Witnesses of Jehovah are swarming over that country and conducting personal Bible studies in more than 200,000 homes of the people. In Italy the 180,000 Witnesses of Jehovah are now recognized as second in number only to the Catholics. In vain did a Roman Catholic monsignor in Italy bewail the fact that Jehovah’s Witnesses are taking from the church ‘at least 10,000 faithful Catholics’ each year. The Witnesses are glad to welcome such ones.—Isaiah 60:8, 22.

Page 14

Index Joel Highlights from the Book of Joel -WT Library References

*** si p. 148 par. 13 Bible Book Number 29—Joel *** The words of Joel 2:11, “the day of Jehovah is great and very fear-inspiring,” are apparently referred to at Malachi 4:5. Parallel descriptions of this ‘day of darkness and thick gloom’ are also to be found at Joel 2:2 and Zephaniah 1:14, 15. (Joel 2:3) Ahead of it a fire devours, And behind it a flame consumes. The land ahead of it is like the garden of Eʹden, But behind it is a desolate wilderness, And nothing can escape.

*** it-2 p. 261 Locust *** An invasion of locusts can transform a land from a paradiselike state into a wilderness, for their appetite is voracious. (Joe 2:3) A single migratory locust consumes its own body weight in food in a day; that is proportionately 60 to 100 times as much as a human consumes. They eat not only greenery but also linen, wool, silk, and leather, not even sparing the varnish on the furniture as they penetrate the houses. The daily food consumption of a large swarm has been estimated as equaling that of a million and a half men. (Joel 2:5) The sound is like that of chariots as they leap on the mountaintops, Like the crackling of a blazing fire that consumes stubble. It is like a mighty people drawn up in battle formation.

*** it-2 pp. 260-261 Locust *** Locust Plagues. In Bible times a locust plague was a severe calamity and, on occasion, an expression of Jehovah’s judgment, as was the eighth plague on ancient Egypt. (Ex 10:4-6, 12-19; De 28:38; 1Ki 8:37; 2Ch 6:28; Ps 78:46; 105:34) Locusts, brought by the wind, arrive suddenly, but the sound of their coming, compared in Scripture to that of chariots and of a fire consuming stubble (Joe 1:4; 2:5, 25), can, it is said, be heard at a distance of about 10 km (6 mi). (Joel 2:6) Because of them, peoples will be in anguish. Every face will grow flushed.

*** w98 5/1 p. 11 par. 17 Jehovah’s Day Is Near *** Because of it, peoples will be in severe pains. As for all faces, they will certainly collect a glow of excitement.” (Joel 2:4-6) During the locust plague in Joel’s day, the anguish of the Baal worshipers mounted, and the flush of anxiety could be seen on their faces. (Joel 2:7) They charge like warriors, They scale a wall like soldiers, Each keeps to his own course, And they do not swerve from their paths.

Page 15

Index Joel Highlights from the Book of Joel -WT Library References

of opposition has been able to stop their preaching. Rather, they imitate Jesus, who persisted in doing God’s will even though he was despised by many. (Isa. 53:3) True, some Christians have ‘fallen among the missiles’ by being put to death as martyrs for their faith. Still, the preaching work has continued, and the number of Kingdom proclaimers keeps growing. In fact, persecution has often served to spread the good news to people who would not otherwise have heard the Kingdom message. (Acts 8:1, 4) In your personal ministry, have you demonstrated perseverance like that of the locust—even in the face of indifference and opposition?—Heb. 10:39.

*** jd chap. 13 p. 173 par. 13 “Proclaim This, You People, Among the Nations” *** 13 Think about how thorough these little creatures are. Joel put it this way: “Like powerful men they run. Like men of war they go up a wall. And they go each one in his own ways, and they do not alter their paths. And one another they do not shove. As an able-bodied man in his course, they keep going; and should some fall even among the missiles, the others do not break off course.” (Joel 2:7, 8) No “wall” of opposition would deter them and the plague they were causing. “Should some fall even among the missiles,” as has been the case with loyal Christians who have been executed by oppressive enemies, others take over the work, accomplishing the mission that Jehovah has for them. Are you determined to stick to the assignment of proclaiming the day of Jehovah until God sees that it has been accomplished? You may even be carrying on the work in the place of some faithful Christians who have died.

*** w98 5/1 p. 11 par. 18 Jehovah’s Day Is Near *** 18 Nothing stopped the orderly, tireless locusts. They ran “like powerful men” and even scaled walls. If ‘some of them fell among the missiles, the others did not break off course.’ (Joel 2:7, 8) What a vivid prophetic portrayal of God’s present-day army of figurative locusts! Today, too, Jehovah’s locust army keeps on going straight ahead. No “wall” of opposition deters them. They do not compromise their integrity to God but are willing to face death, as did thousands of Witnesses who ‘fell among the missiles’ for refusing to heil Hitler during Germany’s Nazi regime.

*** w92 5/1 p. 12 par. 15 Keep Close in Mind the Day of Jehovah *** 15 A vivid portrayal, indeed, of the army of anointed “locusts,” now joined by more than four million companions, the other sheep! No “wall” of religious enmity can hold these back. Boldly, they “go on walking orderly in this same routine” of public witnessing and other Christian activities. (Compare Philippians 3:16.)

*** w92 5/1 p. 12 par. 14 Keep Close in Mind the Day of Jehovah *** “Like powerful men they run. Like men of war they go up a wall. And they go each one in his own ways, and they do not alter their paths.

Page 16

Index Joel Highlights from the Book of Joel -WT Library References

*** w92 5/1 p. 12 par. 14 Keep Close in Mind the Day of Jehovah *** Joel 2:7 (Joel 2:8) They do not shove one another; Each man advances in his course. If the weapons cause some to fall, The others do not break ranks.

*** it-2 p. 261 Locust *** A swarm of locusts progresses like a well-organized, disciplined fighting force, but without king or leader, this testifying to their instinctive wisdom. (Pr 30:24, 27) Even though many perish, the onslaught continues. Fires built to check their advance are extinguished by the bodies of the dead locusts. Water-filled ditches are of no avail in impeding their progress, for these likewise become filled with their dead bodies. (Joe 2:7-9) “There is no known natural enemy that can keep their devastating migrations in check,” wrote a zoology professor.—The New York Times Magazine, “The Locust War,” May 22, 1960, p. 96.

*** w09 4/15 pp. 18-19 pars. 15-16 Jehovah’s Wisdom Observed in Creation *** 15 The prophet Joel compared the activity of Jehovah’s servants to the actions of locusts. He wrote: “Like powerful men they run. Like men of war they go up a wall. And they go each one in his own ways, and they do not alter their paths. And one another they do not shove. As an able-bodied man in his course, they keep going; and should some fall even among the missiles, the others do not break off course.”—Joel 2:7, 8. 16 How well this prophecy describes modern-day proclaimers of God’s Kingdom! No “wall” of opposition has been able to stop their preaching. Rather, they imitate Jesus, who persisted in doing God’s will even though he was despised by many. (Isa. 53:3) True, some Christians have ‘fallen among the missiles’ by being put to death as martyrs for their faith. Still, the preaching work has continued, and the number of Kingdom proclaimers keeps growing. In fact, persecution has often served to spread the good news to people who would not otherwise have heard the Kingdom message. (Acts 8:1, 4) In your personal ministry, have you demonstrated perseverance like that of the locust—even in the face of indifference and opposition?—Heb. 10:39.

Page 17

Index Joel Highlights from the Book of Joel -WT Library References

*** w92 5/1 p. 12 par. 15 Keep Close in Mind the Day of Jehovah *** Rather than compromise, they have been willing to face death, as did the thousands of Witnesses who ‘fell among the missiles’ because they refused to heil Catholic Hitler of Nazi Germany.

*** w92 5/1 p. 12 par. 14 Keep Close in Mind the Day of Jehovah *** And one another they do not shove. As an able-bodied man in his course, they keep going; and should some fall even among the missiles, the others do not break off course.

(Joel 2:9) Into the city they rush, on the wall they run. Onto the houses they climb, through the windows they enter like a thief.

*** w98 5/1 pp. 11-12 par. 19 Jehovah’s Day Is Near *** 19 God’s modern-day locust army has given a thorough witness in “the city” of Christendom. (Joel 2:9) They have done so throughout the world. They are still climbing over all obstacles, entering millions of homes, approaching people on the street, speaking to them over the phone, and contacting them in any way possible as they declare Jehovah’s message. Indeed, they have distributed billions of Bible publications and will distribute many, many more in their ceaseless ministry—both publicly and from house to house.—Acts 20:20, 21.

*** w92 5/1 p. 12 par. 15 Keep Close in Mind the Day of Jehovah *** The locust horde has given a thorough witness in “the city” of Christendom, climbing over all obstacles, penetrating, as it were, like a thief into the homes as they have distributed billions of Bible publications through their house-to-house activity. It is Jehovah’s will that this witness be given, and no power in heaven or on earth can stop it.—Isaiah 55:11.

*** w92 5/1 p. 12 par. 14 Keep Close in Mind the Day of Jehovah *** Into the city they rush. On the wall they run. On the houses they go up. Through the windows they go in like the thief.”

Page 18

Index Joel Highlights from the Book of Joel -WT Library References

(Joel 2:10) Before them the land trembles and the heavens rock. Sun and moon have become dark, And the stars have lost their brightness.

*** it-2 p. 261 Locust ***

Their flight is largely dependent on the wind, which, when favorable, enables them to cover many kilometers. Locust swarms have even been seen by persons at sea more than 1,600 km (1,000 mi) from land. Unfavorable winds, though, can drive them into the water to their death. (Ex 10:13, 19) The effect of a large swarm in flight (reaching over 1,500 m [5,000 ft] in height) is comparable to a cloud that intercepts the light of the sun.—Joe 2:10.

*** w98 5/1 p. 12 par. 20 Jehovah’s Day Is Near *** 20 Joel 2:10 shows that a very large swarm of locusts is like a cloud that can blot out the sun, moon, and stars. (Compare Isaiah 60:8.) (Joel 2:11) Jehovah will raise his voice before his army, for his camp is very numerous. For the one carrying out His word is mighty; For the day of Jehovah is great and very awe- inspiring. Who can endure it?”

*** w98 5/1 p. 9 par. 6 Jehovah’s Day Is Near *** But notice this: At Joel chapter 2, verse 11, God identifies the locust army as “his military force.” Yes, he was the Source of the locust plague that would devastate the land and cause severe famine. When? Just before “the day of Jehovah.”

*** w98 5/1 p. 12 par. 20 Jehovah’s Day Is Near *** Is there any doubt who is behind this military force? Above the roar of the insects, we hear these words of Joel 2:11: “Jehovah himself will certainly give forth his voice before his military force, for his camp is very numerous. For he who is carrying out his word is mighty; for the day of Jehovah is great and very fear-inspiring, and who can hold up under it?” Yes, Jehovah God is sending forth his military force of locusts now—before his great day.

*** w97 12/15 p. 11 Surviving ‘Jehovah’s Day’ *** “The day of Jehovah is great and very fear-inspiring, and who can hold up under it?”—JOEL 2:11.

“FEAR-INSPIRING”! That is how God’s prophet Joel describes the great “day of Jehovah.” However, we who love Jehovah and have come to him in dedication on the basis of Jesus’ ransom sacrifice need not cringe with fear as Jehovah’s day approaches. It will be an awesome day indeed, but a day of grand salvation, the day of release from a wicked system of things that has plagued mankind over millenniums of time. In prospect of that day, Joel calls on God’s people to “be joyful and rejoice; for Jehovah will actually do a great thing,” and he adds the assurance: “It must occur that everyone who calls on the name of Jehovah will get away safe.” Then in God’s Kingdom arrangement, “there will prove to be the escaped ones, just as Jehovah has said, and in among the survivors, whom Jehovah is calling.”—Joel 2:11, 21, 22, 32.

Page 19

Index Joel Highlights from the Book of Joel -WT Library References

*** si p. 148 par. 13 Bible Book Number 29—Joel *** The words of Joel 2:11, “the day of Jehovah is great and very fear-inspiring,” are apparently referred to at Malachi 4:5. Parallel descriptions of this ‘day of darkness and thick gloom’ are also to be found at Joel 2:2 and Zephaniah 1:14, 15. (Joel 2:12) “Yet even now,” declares Jehovah, “return to me with all your hearts, With fasting and weeping and wailing.

*** w98 5/1 pp. 15-16 pars. 9-10 Who Will “Get Away Safe”? *** For example, at Joel 2:12, 13, we read: “‘And now also,’ the utterance of Jehovah is, ‘come back to me with all your hearts, and with fasting and with weeping and with wailing. And rip apart your hearts, and not your garments; and come back to Jehovah your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abundant in loving-kindness.’” Starting in 1919, anointed Christians acted in harmony with these words. They repented over their failures and determined never again to compromise or slow down. This opened the way for God’s spirit to be poured out. Every individual who wants to call on Jehovah’s name and be heard must follow the same course. 10 Remember, true repentance is more than merely saying, “I am sorry.” Israelites used to rip their outer garments to show the intensity of their feelings. But Jehovah says: “Rip apart your hearts, and not your garments.” True repentance comes from the heart, from the depths of our being. It includes turning our backs on wrongdoing, even as we read at Isaiah 55:7: “Let the wicked man leave his way, and the harmful man his thoughts; and let him return to Jehovah.” It involves hating sin, just as Jesus did. (Hebrews 1:9) Then, we trust Jehovah to forgive us on the basis of the ransom sacrifice because Jehovah is “gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abundant in loving-kindness.” He will accept our worship, our spiritual grain offering and drink offering. He will listen when we call upon his name.—Joel 2:14. (Joel 2:13) Rip apart your hearts, and not your garments, And return to Jehovah your God, For he is compassionate and merciful, slow to anger and abundant in loyal love, And he will reconsider the calamity.

Page 20

Index Joel Highlights from the Book of Joel -WT Library References

depths of our being. It includes turning our backs on wrongdoing, even as we read at Isaiah 55:7: “Let the wicked man leave his way, and the harmful man his thoughts; and let him return to Jehovah.” It involves hating sin, just as Jesus did. (Hebrews 1:9) Then, we trust Jehovah to forgive us on the basis of the ransom sacrifice because Jehovah is “gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abundant in loving-kindness.” He will accept our worship, our spiritual grain offering and drink offering. He will listen when we call upon his name.—Joel 2:14.

*** w89 3/15 p. 30 Call on Jehovah’s Name and Get Away Safe! *** 2:12, 13—In ancient times, ripping apart one’s garments was an outward expression of grief. (Genesis 37:29, 30; 44:13) But this could be done insincerely, hypocritically. Joel made it clear that outward expressions of sorrow were not enough. The people needed to ‘rip apart their hearts’ by showing heartfelt repentance. (Joel 2:15) Blow a horn in Zion! Proclaim a fast; call for a solemn assembly.

*** jd chap. 10 p. 137 par. 25 Contribute to Family Life That Pleases God *** 25 Interestingly, with regard to the coming of Jehovah’s day, Joel prophesied: “Gather the people together. Sanctify a congregation. . . . Let the bridegroom go forth from his interior room, and the bride from her nuptial chamber.” (Joel 2:15, 16) Everyone in the household was to be gathered together for the worship of Jehovah. Even the newlyweds, who are naturally distracted, were no exception! Nothing should come ahead of our gathering to God. With the day of Jehovah fast approaching, having a good standing with him must be foremost in our life. (Joel 2:16) Gather the people; sanctify the congregation. Collect the old men; gather the children and nursing infants. Let the bridegroom go out from his inner chamber, and the bride from her bridal chamber.

*** jd chap. 10 p. 137 par. 25 Contribute to Family Life That Pleases God *** 25 Interestingly, with regard to the coming of Jehovah’s day, Joel prophesied: “Gather the people together. Sanctify a congregation. . . . Let the bridegroom go forth from his interior room, and the bride from her nuptial chamber.” (Joel 2:15, 16) Everyone in the household was to be gathered together for the worship of Jehovah. Even the newlyweds, who are naturally distracted, were no exception! Nothing should come ahead of our gathering to God. With the day of Jehovah fast approaching, having a good standing with him must be foremost in our life. (Joel 2:18) Then Jehovah will be zealous for his land And show compassion on his people.

*** w98 5/1 p. 17 par. 14 Who Will “Get Away Safe”? *** “Jehovah will be zealous for his land and will show compassion upon his people.” (Joel 2:18) In 1919, Jehovah showed zeal and compassion for his people when he restored them and brought them into his realm of spiritual activity.

Page 21

Index Joel Highlights from the Book of Joel -WT Library References

(Joel 2:20) I will drive the northerner far away from you; I will disperse him to a dry and desolate wasteland, With his vanguard toward the eastern sea And his rear guard toward the western sea. The foul smell from him will ascend, The stench from him will keep ascending; For He will do great things.’

*** it-1 p. 997 Great Sea *** From the location of Jerusalem it was viewed as “the western sea” in contrast with “the eastern sea,” that is, the Dead Sea. (Joe 2:20; Zec 14:8) (Joel 2:21) Do not be afraid, O land. Be joyful and rejoice, for Jehovah will do great things.

*** w98 5/1 pp. 17-18 pars. 14-15 Who Will “Get Away Safe”? *** This is truly a spiritual paradise, well described by Joel in these words: “Do not be fearful, O ground. Be joyful and rejoice; for Jehovah will actually do a great thing in what He does. Do not be fearful, you beasts of the open field, for the pasture grounds of the wilderness will certainly grow green. For the tree will actually give its fruitage. The fig tree and the vine must give their vital energy. And, you sons of Zion, be joyful and rejoice in Jehovah your God; for he will be bound to give you the autumn rain in right measure, and he will bring down upon you people a downpour, autumn rain and spring rain, as at the first. And the threshing floors must be full of cleansed grain, and the press vats must overflow with new wine and oil.”—Joel 2:21-24. 15 What a delightful picture! Abundant provisions of three staples of life in Israel—grain, olive oil, and wine—together with plentiful flocks. In our day those prophetic words are indeed fulfilled in a spiritual way. Jehovah provides us all the spiritual food we need. Do we not all delight in such God-given abundance? Truly, as Malachi foretold, our God has ‘opened the floodgates of the heavens and emptied out upon us a blessing until there is no more want.’—Malachi 3:10. (Joel 2:22) Do not be afraid, you beasts of the field, For the pastures of the wilderness will become green, And the trees will bear fruit; The fig tree and the vine must give their full yield.

Page 22

Index Joel Highlights from the Book of Joel -WT Library References

more want.’—Malachi 3:10. (Joel 2:23) You sons of Zion, be joyful and rejoice in Jehovah your God; For he will give you the autumn rain in the right amount, And he will send upon you a downpour, The autumn rain and the spring rain, as before.

*** w98 5/1 pp. 17-18 pars. 14-15 Who Will “Get Away Safe”? *** This is truly a spiritual paradise, well described by Joel in these words: “Do not be fearful, O ground. Be joyful and rejoice; for Jehovah will actually do a great thing in what He does. Do not be fearful, you beasts of the open field, for the pasture grounds of the wilderness will certainly grow green. For the tree will actually give its fruitage. The fig tree and the vine must give their vital energy. And, you sons of Zion, be joyful and rejoice in Jehovah your God; for he will be bound to give you the autumn rain in right measure, and he will bring down upon you people a downpour, autumn rain and spring rain, as at the first. And the threshing floors must be full of cleansed grain, and the press vats must overflow with new wine and oil.”—Joel 2:21-24. 15 What a delightful picture! Abundant provisions of three staples of life in Israel—grain, olive oil, and wine—together with plentiful flocks. In our day those prophetic words are indeed fulfilled in a spiritual way. Jehovah provides us all the spiritual food we need. Do we not all delight in such God-given abundance? Truly, as Malachi foretold, our God has ‘opened the floodgates of the heavens and emptied out upon us a blessing until there is no more want.’—Malachi 3:10. (Joel 2:24) The threshing floors will be full of pure grain, And the presses will overflow with new wine and oil.

*** w98 5/1 pp. 17-18 pars. 14-15 Who Will “Get Away Safe”? *** This is truly a spiritual paradise, well described by Joel in these words: “Do not be fearful, O ground. Be joyful and rejoice; for Jehovah will actually do a great thing in what He does. Do not be fearful, you beasts of the open field, for the pasture grounds of the wilderness will certainly grow green. For the tree will actually give its fruitage. The fig tree and the vine must give their vital energy. And, you sons of Zion, be joyful and rejoice in Jehovah your God; for he will be bound to give you the autumn rain in right measure, and he will bring down upon you people a downpour, autumn rain and spring rain, as at the first. And the threshing floors must be full of cleansed grain, and the press vats must overflow with new wine and oil.”—Joel 2:21-24. 15 What a delightful picture! Abundant provisions of three staples of life in Israel—grain, olive oil, and wine—together with plentiful flocks. In our day those prophetic words are indeed fulfilled in a spiritual way. Jehovah provides us all the spiritual food we need. Do we not all delight in such God-given abundance? Truly, as Malachi foretold, our God has ‘opened the floodgates of the heavens and emptied out upon us a blessing until there is no more want.’—Malachi 3:10. (Joel 2:27) And you will have to know that I am in the midst of Israel And that I am Jehovah your God—there is no other! My people will never again be put to shame.

Page 23

Index Joel Highlights from the Book of Joel -WT Library References

*** w92 5/1 p. 13 Keep Close in Mind the Day of Jehovah *** “Filled With Holy Spirit” 16 Jehovah tells his Witnesses: “You people will have to know that I am in the midst of [spiritual] Israel, and that I am Jehovah your God and there is no other.” (Joel 2:27) His people came into this precious realization when Jehovah began to fulfill his words at Joel 2:28, 29: “It must occur that I shall pour out my spirit on every sort of flesh, and your sons and your daughters will certainly prophesy.” This happened at Pentecost 33 C.E., when Jesus’ assembled disciples were anointed “and they all became filled with holy spirit.” In the power of holy spirit, they preached, and on the one day, “about three thousand souls were added.”—Acts 2:4, 16, 17, 41. (Joel 2:28) After that I will pour out my spirit on every sort of flesh, And your sons and your daughters will prophesy, Your old men will dream dreams, And your young men will see visions.

*** it-1 p. 651 Dream *** Joel foretold that the outpouring of God’s spirit would be followed by such manifestations as prophesying and the dreaming of inspired dreams. (Joe 2:28) It was on the day of Pentecost in the year 33 C.E. that some 120 disciples of Jesus Christ received the holy spirit and began speaking in various tongues “about the magnificent things of God.” (Ac 2:1-18) Later, other believers, including the former persecutor Saul (Paul), received the holy spirit and were empowered with miraculous gifts. (Ac 8:17-19; 9:17; 10:44-46) While in Troas, Paul had a night vision or dream that provided guidance as to where he and his associates were to preach “the good news.” (Ac 16:9, 10) Other disciples doubtless also had dreams under the influence of God’s spirit, fulfilling the words of Joel’s prophecy.

*** it-2 pp. 1159-1160 Vision *** Some Foretold to See Visions. In contrast with false visions and in addition to the God- given visions already discussed, Joel was divinely inspired to foretell that, under the influence of God’s spirit, young men would “see visions.” (Joe 2:28) Peter showed that there was a fulfillment of this prophecy on the day of Pentecost in 33 C.E., when the holy spirit was bestowed upon followers of Jesus Christ and they miraculously declared in many languages “the magnificent things of God.”—Ac 2:1-4, 11, 15-17.

*** it-2 pp. 1196-1197 Woman *** Proclaimers of the good news. Women, spoken of as “daughters” and “women slaves” in Joel’s prophecy, were among those receiving the gifts of holy spirit on the day of Pentecost 33 C.E. From that day forward the Christian women who were favored with these gifts talked in foreign tongues that they had not understood before, and they ‘prophesied,’ not necessarily making predictions of important future events, but speaking forth Bible truths.—Joe 2:28, 29; Ac 1:13-15; 2:1-4, 13-18; see PROPHETESS. Their speaking about Bible truths to others was not to be limited to fellow believers. Before his ascension to heaven, Jesus had told his followers: “You will receive power when the holy spirit arrives upon you, and you will be witnesses of me both in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the most distant part of the earth.” (Ac 1:8) Thereafter, on the day of Pentecost 33 C.E., when holy spirit was poured out upon them, the entire group of

Page 24

Index Joel Highlights from the Book of Joel -WT Library References

some 120 disciples (including some women) were empowered as his witnesses (Ac 1:14, 15; 2:3, 4); and the prophecy of Joel (2:28, 29) quoted by Peter on that occasion included reference to such women. So they were numbered among those who bore the responsibility to be witnesses of Jesus “in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the most distant part of the earth.” Consistent with that, the apostle Paul later reported that Euodia and Syntyche, in Philippi, had “striven side by side with [him] in the good news”; and Luke mentioned Priscilla as sharing with her husband Aquila in ‘expounding the way of God’ in Ephesus.—Php 4:2, 3; Ac 18:26.

*** jd chap. 13 p. 167 par. 4 “Proclaim This, You People, Among the Nations” *** 4 Look at the matter from another standpoint. Jehovah God told the prophet Joel of a time when people of every sort would prophesy, so to speak: “After that it must occur that I shall pour out my spirit on every sort of flesh, and your sons and your daughters will certainly prophesy. As for your old men, dreams they will dream. As for your young men, visions they will see.” (Joel 2:28-32) On the day of Pentecost 33 C.E., the apostle Peter applied this passage to the pouring out of holy spirit upon those who were gathered in an upper chamber in Jerusalem and to their subsequent preaching of “the magnificent things of God.” (Acts 1:12-14; 2:1-4, 11, 14-21) Now consider our time. Joel’s prophecy has been undergoing its major fulfillment since early in the 20th century. Spirit-anointed Christians— male and female, old and young—began to “prophesy,” that is, to declare “the magnificent things of God,” including the good news of the Kingdom, now established in the heavens.

*** w02 8/1 p. 15 Stirred by “the Magnificent Things of God” *** Moved to Action! 4 Having received the holy spirit, the disciples in Jerusalem lost no time in sharing the good news of salvation with others, beginning with the crowd who had gathered that morning. Their preaching fulfilled a remarkable prophecy, recorded eight centuries earlier by Joel, the son of Pethuel: “I shall pour out my spirit on every sort of flesh, and your sons and your daughters will certainly prophesy. As for your old men, dreams they will dream. As for your young men, visions they will see. And even on the menservants and on the maidservants in those days I shall pour out my spirit . . . before the coming of the great and fear-inspiring day of Jehovah.”—Joel 1:1; 2:28, 29, 31; Acts 2:17, 18, 20. 5 Did this mean that God was going to raise up a whole generation of prophets, both male and female, in the manner of David, Joel, and Deborah, and use them to foretell future events? No. Christian ‘sons and daughters, menservants and maidservants’ would prophesy in the sense that they would be impelled by Jehovah’s spirit to declare “the magnificent things” that Jehovah had done and would still do. So they would serve as spokesmen for the Most High.

*** w02 8/1 p. 15 Stirred by “the Magnificent Things of God” *** When Jehovah appointed Moses and Aaron to speak to Pharaoh in behalf of his people, He told Moses: “I have made you God to Pharaoh, and Aaron your own brother will become your prophet.” (Exodus 7:1) Aaron served as a prophet, not in the sense of foretelling future events, but by becoming Moses’ spokesman, or mouthpiece.

Page 25

Index Joel Highlights from the Book of Joel -WT Library References

*** w98 5/1 pp. 13-15 pars. 2-8 Who Will “Get Away Safe”? *** 2 When that new nation began to exist, important events took place that fulfilled Joel’s prophetic words. We read of these events at Acts 2:2-4: “Suddenly there occurred from heaven a noise just like that of a rushing stiff breeze, and it filled the whole house in which they were sitting. And tongues as if of fire became visible to them and were distributed about, and one sat upon each one of them, and they all became filled with holy spirit and started to speak with different tongues, just as the spirit was granting them to make utterance.” In this way those 120 faithful men and women became a spiritual nation, the first members of what the apostle Paul later called “the Israel of God.”—Galatians 6:16. 3 Crowds gathered to investigate the “rushing stiff breeze,” and the apostle Peter explained to them that one of Joel’s prophecies was being fulfilled. Which prophecy? Well, listen to what he said: “‘In the last days,’ God says, ‘I shall pour out some of my spirit upon every sort of flesh, and your sons and your daughters will prophesy and your young men will see visions and your old men will dream dreams; and even upon my men slaves and upon my women slaves I will pour out some of my spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. And I will give portents in heaven above and signs on earth below, blood and fire and smoke mist; the sun will be turned into darkness and the moon into blood before the great and illustrious day of Jehovah arrives. And everyone who calls on the name of Jehovah will be saved.’” (Acts 2:17-21) The words Peter quoted are found at Joel 2:28-32, and their fulfillment meant that time was running out for the Jewish nation. “The great and illustrious day of Jehovah,” a time of reckoning for unfaithful Israel, was near. But who would be saved, or get away safe? And what did this foreshadow? Two Fulfillments of Prophecy 4 In the years following 33 C.E., the spiritual Israel of God flourished, but the fleshly nation of Israel did not. In 66 C.E., fleshly Israel was at war with Rome. In 70 C.E., Israel almost ceased to exist, and Jerusalem along with its temple was burned to the ground. At Pentecost 33 C.E., Peter gave fine counsel in view of that approaching tragedy. Again quoting Joel, he said: “Everyone who calls on the name of Jehovah will be saved.” Each individual Jew had to make a personal decision to call upon Jehovah’s name. This included heeding Peter’s further instructions: “Repent, and let each one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for forgiveness of your sins.” (Acts 2:38) Peter’s listeners had to accept Jesus as the Messiah, whom Israel as a nation had rejected. 5 Those prophetic words of Joel had a great impact on meek ones in the first century. However, they have an even greater impact today because, as events in the 20th century show, there has been a second fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy. Let us see how. 6 After the death of the apostles, the Israel of God came to be hidden by the weeds of false Christianity. However, during the time of the end, which started in 1914, the identity of this spiritual nation once again became clear. All of this was in fulfillment of Jesus’ parable of the wheat and the weeds. (Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43) As 1914 drew near, anointed Christians began to separate themselves from unfaithful Christendom, boldly rejecting her false doctrines and preaching the coming end of “the appointed times of the nations.” (Luke 21:24) But the first world war, which broke out in 1914, raised issues for which they were unprepared. Under intense pressure, many slowed down, and some compromised. By 1918 their preaching activity had virtually ceased.

Page 26

Index Joel Highlights from the Book of Joel -WT Library References

7 Still, that did not last long. Starting in 1919, Jehovah began to pour out his spirit on his people in a way that called to mind Pentecost 33 C.E. Of course, in 1919 there was no speaking in tongues and no rushing stiff breeze. We understand from Paul’s words recorded at 1 Corinthians 13:8 that the time for miracles was long since past. Nevertheless, God’s spirit was clearly evident in 1919 when, at a convention in Cedar Point, Ohio, U.S.A., faithful Christians were reinvigorated and again began the work of preaching the good news of the Kingdom. In 1922 they returned to Cedar Point and were galvanized by the appeal “Advertise, advertise, advertise, the King and his kingdom.” As had happened in the first century, the world was forced to take note of the effects of the outpouring of God’s spirit. Every dedicated Christian—male and female, old and young— began to “prophesy,” that is, to declare “the magnificent things of God.” (Acts 2:11) Like Peter, they exhorted meek ones: “Get saved from this crooked generation.” (Acts 2:40) How could responsive ones do that? By heeding Joel’s words found at Joel 2:32: “Everyone who calls on the name of Jehovah will get away safe.” 8 Since those early years, the affairs of the Israel of God have moved ahead. The sealing of the anointed appears to be well advanced, and since the 1930’s a great crowd of meek ones with an earthly hope have appeared on the scene. (Revelation 7:3, 9) All feel a sense of urgency, for the second fulfillment of Joel 2:28, 29 shows that we are close to an even greater fear-inspiring day of Jehovah, when a worldwide religious, political, and commercial system of things will be destroyed. We have every reason to ‘call on the name of Jehovah’ in full faith that he will deliver us!

*** w95 5/15 p. 11 par. 5 Flashes of Light in Apostolic Times *** 5 Just ten days later, what brilliant flashes of light Jesus’ followers received! On the day of Pentecost 33 C.E., for the first time, they appreciated the significance of Joel 2:28, 29: “I [Jehovah] shall pour out my spirit on every sort of flesh, and your sons and your daughters will certainly prophesy. As for your old men, dreams they will dream. As for your young men, visions they will see. And even on the menservants and on the maidservants in those days I shall pour out my spirit.” Jesus’ disciples saw the holy spirit, in the form of tongues as if of fire, resting on the heads of all of them—about 120 men and women—assembled in Jerusalem.—Acts 1:12-15; 2:1-4.

*** w94 2/15 p. 18 pars. 10-11 “Tell Us, When Will These Things Be?” *** 10 When they heard what Jesus said, Peter and the three others likely recalled Joel’s prophecy found at Joel 2:28-31 and 3:15: “I shall pour out my spirit on every sort of flesh, and your sons and your daughters will certainly prophesy. . . . I will give portents in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and columns of smoke. The sun itself will be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the coming of the great and fear- inspiring day of Jehovah.” “Sun and moon themselves will certainly become dark, and the very stars will actually withdraw their brightness.” 11 As related at Acts 2:1-4 and 14-21, at Pentecost 33 C.E., God poured out holy spirit on 120 disciples, both men and women. The apostle Peter made known that this was what Joel had foretold.

Page 27

Index Joel Highlights from the Book of Joel -WT Library References

*** w90 6/1 p. 12 par. 10 Jehovah Is Our Ruler! *** Instead, this event was a fulfillment of God’s promise to pour out holy spirit upon his people. God inspired Peter to point to our time by adding the words “in the last days” and “they will prophesy.” (Joel 2:28-32) Jehovah would give portents in heaven and signs on earth before his great day, and only those calling on his name in faith would be saved. Similar outpouring of the spirit upon anointed ones has enabled them to “prophesy” with great vitality and efficiency today.

*** si p. 147 par. 12 Bible Book Number 29—Joel *** There was a striking fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy on the day of Pentecost 33 C.E. On that occasion Peter was inspired to explain that the outpouring of God’s spirit upon Christ’s disciples was a fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy. (Acts 2:1-21; Joel 2:28, 29, 32)

*** w89 3/15 p. 30 Call on Jehovah’s Name and Get Away Safe! *** 2:1-10, 28—The Israelites were warned that if they disobeyed God, locusts and other creatures would devour their crops. (Deuteronomy 28:38-45) Since the Scriptures do not record an insect assault upon Canaan of the proportions mentioned by Joel, the plague he described was apparently pictorial. Evidently, the prophecy began to be fulfilled at Pentecost 33 C.E., when Jehovah started to ‘pour out his spirit’ upon Jesus’ followers, who tormented false religionists with their God-given message. (Acts 2:1, 14-21; 5:27-29) Jehovah’s Witnesses now carry out a similarly devastating work. (Joel 2:29) And even on my male slaves and female slaves I will pour out my spirit in those days.

Page 28

Index Joel Highlights from the Book of Joel -WT Library References

holy spirit arrives upon you, and you will be witnesses of me both in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the most distant part of the earth.” (Ac 1:8) Thereafter, on the day of Pentecost 33 C.E., when holy spirit was poured out upon them, the entire group of some 120 disciples (including some women) were empowered as his witnesses (Ac 1:14, 15; 2:3, 4); and the prophecy of Joel (2:28, 29) quoted by Peter on that occasion included reference to such women. So they were numbered among those who bore the responsibility to be witnesses of Jesus “in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the most distant part of the earth.” Consistent with that, the apostle Paul later reported that Euodia and Syntyche, in Philippi, had “striven side by side with [him] in the good news”; and Luke mentioned Priscilla as sharing with her husband Aquila in ‘expounding the way of God’ in Ephesus.—Php 4:2, 3; Ac 18:26.

Page 29

Index Joel Highlights from the Book of Joel -WT Library References

explained to them that one of Joel’s prophecies was being fulfilled. Which prophecy? Well, listen to what he said: “‘In the last days,’ God says, ‘I shall pour out some of my spirit upon every sort of flesh, and your sons and your daughters will prophesy and your young men will see visions and your old men will dream dreams; and even upon my men slaves and upon my women slaves I will pour out some of my spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. And I will give portents in heaven above and signs on earth below, blood and fire and smoke mist; the sun will be turned into darkness and the moon into blood before the great and illustrious day of Jehovah arrives. And everyone who calls on the name of Jehovah will be saved.’” (Acts 2:17-21) The words Peter quoted are found at Joel 2:28-32, and their fulfillment meant that time was running out for the Jewish nation. “The great and illustrious day of Jehovah,” a time of reckoning for unfaithful Israel, was near. But who would be saved, or get away safe? And what did this foreshadow? Two Fulfillments of Prophecy 4 In the years following 33 C.E., the spiritual Israel of God flourished, but the fleshly nation of Israel did not. In 66 C.E., fleshly Israel was at war with Rome. In 70 C.E., Israel almost ceased to exist, and Jerusalem along with its temple was burned to the ground. At Pentecost 33 C.E., Peter gave fine counsel in view of that approaching tragedy. Again quoting Joel, he said: “Everyone who calls on the name of Jehovah will be saved.” Each individual Jew had to make a personal decision to call upon Jehovah’s name. This included heeding Peter’s further instructions: “Repent, and let each one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for forgiveness of your sins.” (Acts 2:38) Peter’s listeners had to accept Jesus as the Messiah, whom Israel as a nation had rejected. 5 Those prophetic words of Joel had a great impact on meek ones in the first century. However, they have an even greater impact today because, as events in the 20th century show, there has been a second fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy. Let us see how. 6 After the death of the apostles, the Israel of God came to be hidden by the weeds of false Christianity. However, during the time of the end, which started in 1914, the identity of this spiritual nation once again became clear. All of this was in fulfillment of Jesus’ parable of the wheat and the weeds. (Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43) As 1914 drew near, anointed Christians began to separate themselves from unfaithful Christendom, boldly rejecting her false doctrines and preaching the coming end of “the appointed times of the nations.” (Luke 21:24) But the first world war, which broke out in 1914, raised issues for which they were unprepared. Under intense pressure, many slowed down, and some compromised. By 1918 their preaching activity had virtually ceased. 7 Still, that did not last long. Starting in 1919, Jehovah began to pour out his spirit on his people in a way that called to mind Pentecost 33 C.E. Of course, in 1919 there was no speaking in tongues and no rushing stiff breeze. We understand from Paul’s words recorded at 1 Corinthians 13:8 that the time for miracles was long since past. Nevertheless, God’s spirit was clearly evident in 1919 when, at a convention in Cedar Point, Ohio, U.S.A., faithful Christians were reinvigorated and again began the work of preaching the good news of the Kingdom. In 1922 they returned to Cedar Point and were galvanized by the appeal “Advertise, advertise, advertise, the King and his kingdom.” As had happened in the first century, the world was forced to take note of the effects of the outpouring of God’s spirit. Every dedicated Christian—male and female, old and young— began to “prophesy,” that is, to declare “the magnificent things of God.” (Acts 2:11) Like Peter, they exhorted meek ones: “Get saved from this crooked generation.” (Acts 2:40)

Page 30

Index Joel Highlights from the Book of Joel -WT Library References

How could responsive ones do that? By heeding Joel’s words found at Joel 2:32: “Everyone who calls on the name of Jehovah will get away safe.” 8 Since those early years, the affairs of the Israel of God have moved ahead. The sealing of the anointed appears to be well advanced, and since the 1930’s a great crowd of meek ones with an earthly hope have appeared on the scene. (Revelation 7:3, 9) All feel a sense of urgency, for the second fulfillment of Joel 2:28, 29 shows that we are close to an even greater fear-inspiring day of Jehovah, when a worldwide religious, political, and commercial system of things will be destroyed. We have every reason to ‘call on the name of Jehovah’ in full faith that he will deliver us!

*** it-1 pp. 1062-1063 Heaven *** Darkening of the Heavens. The darkening of the heavens or of the stellar bodies is often used to represent the removal of prosperous, favorable conditions, and their being replaced by foreboding, gloomy prospects and conditions, like a time when dark clouds blot out all light day and night. (Compare Isa 50:2, 3, 10.) This use of the physical heavens in connection with the mental outlook of humans is somewhat similar to the old Arabic expression, “His heaven has fallen to the earth,” meaning that one’s superiority or prosperity is greatly diminished. At times, of course, in expressing divine wrath, God has employed celestial phenomena, some of which have literally darkened the heavens.—Ex 10:21-23; Jos 10:12-14; Lu 23:44, 45. Upon Judah such a day of darkness came in fulfillment of Jehovah’s judgment through his prophet Joel, and it reached its culmination in Judah’s desolation by Babylon. (Joe 2:1, 2, 10, 30, 31; compare Jer 4:23, 28.) Any hope of help from a heavenly source seemed to have dried up, and as foretold at Deuteronomy 28:65-67, they came into “dread night and day,” with no relief or hope by sunlit morning or by moonlit evening. Yet, by the same

Page 31

Index Joel Highlights from the Book of Joel -WT Library References

prophet, Joel, Jehovah warned enemies of Judah that they would experience the same situation when he executed judgment upon them. (Joe 3:12-16) Ezekiel and Isaiah used this same figurative picture in foretelling God’s judgment on Egypt and on Babylon respectively.—Eze 32:7, 8, 12; Isa 13:1, 10, 11. The apostle Peter quoted Joel’s prophecy on the day of Pentecost when urging a crowd of listeners to “get saved from this crooked generation.” (Ac 2:1, 16-21, 40) The unheeding ones of that generation saw a time of grave darkness when the Romans besieged and eventually ravaged Jerusalem less than 40 years later.

*** w98 5/1 pp. 13-14 pars. 2-5 Who Will “Get Away Safe”? *** 2 When that new nation began to exist, important events took place that fulfilled Joel’s prophetic words. We read of these events at Acts 2:2-4: “Suddenly there occurred from heaven a noise just like that of a rushing stiff breeze, and it filled the whole house in which they were sitting. And tongues as if of fire became visible to them and were distributed about, and one sat upon each one of them, and they all became filled with holy spirit and started to speak with different tongues, just as the spirit was granting them to make utterance.” In this way those 120 faithful men and women became a spiritual nation, the first members of what the apostle Paul later called “the Israel of God.”—Galatians 6:16. 3 Crowds gathered to investigate the “rushing stiff breeze,” and the apostle Peter explained to them that one of Joel’s prophecies was being fulfilled. Which prophecy? Well, listen to what he said: “‘In the last days,’ God says, ‘I shall pour out some of my spirit upon every sort of flesh, and your sons and your daughters will prophesy and your young men will see visions and your old men will dream dreams; and even upon my men slaves and upon my women slaves I will pour out some of my spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. And I will give portents in heaven above and signs on earth below, blood and fire and smoke mist; the sun will be turned into darkness and the moon into blood before the great and illustrious day of Jehovah arrives. And everyone who calls on the name of Jehovah will be saved.’” (Acts 2:17-21) The words Peter quoted are found at Joel 2:28-32, and their fulfillment meant that time was running out for the Jewish nation. “The great and illustrious day of Jehovah,” a time of reckoning for unfaithful Israel, was near. But who would be saved, or get away safe? And what did this foreshadow? Two Fulfillments of Prophecy 4 In the years following 33 C.E., the spiritual Israel of God flourished, but the fleshly nation of Israel did not. In 66 C.E., fleshly Israel was at war with Rome. In 70 C.E., Israel almost ceased to exist, and Jerusalem along with its temple was burned to the ground. At Pentecost 33 C.E., Peter gave fine counsel in view of that approaching tragedy. Again quoting Joel, he said: “Everyone who calls on the name of Jehovah will be saved.” Each individual Jew had to make a personal decision to call upon Jehovah’s name. This included heeding Peter’s further instructions: “Repent, and let each one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for forgiveness of your sins.” (Acts 2:38) Peter’s listeners had to accept Jesus as the Messiah, whom Israel as a nation had rejected. 5 Those prophetic words of Joel had a great impact on meek ones in the first century. However, they have an even greater impact today because, as events in the 20th century show, there has been a second fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy. Let us see how.

Page 32

Index Joel Highlights from the Book of Joel -WT Library References

*** w98 5/1 p. 18 pars. 16-17 Who Will “Get Away Safe”? *** In view of this, what does the future hold? Joel’s prophecy goes on to tell us: “I will give portents in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and columns of smoke. The sun itself will be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the coming of the great and fear-inspiring day of Jehovah.”—Joel 2:30, 31. 17 In 66 C.E., these prophetic words started to come true in Judea as events moved inexorably toward the climax of the fear-inspiring day of Jehovah in 70 C.E. How terrifying at that time to be among those not exalting the name of Jehovah! Today, events just as terrifying lie ahead, when this whole world system of things will be destroyed at Jehovah’s hand.

*** w97 12/15 pp. 16-17 pars. 2-4 Make Public Declaration for Salvation *** 2 The destruction of Jerusalem in 70 C.E. is an outstanding example of this. Foretelling that event almost 900 years in advance, the prophet Joel wrote: “I will give portents in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and columns of smoke. The sun itself will be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the coming of the great and fear- inspiring day of Jehovah.” How could anyone survive such a terrifying time? Joel wrote under inspiration: “It must occur that everyone who calls on the name of Jehovah will get away safe; for in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will prove to be the escaped ones, just as Jehovah has said, and in among the survivors, whom Jehovah is calling.”—Joel 2:30-32. 3 At Pentecost 33 C.E., the apostle Peter addressed a crowd of Jews and proselytes in Jerusalem and quoted Joel’s prophecy, showing that his listeners could expect a fulfillment in their day: “I will give portents in heaven above and signs on earth below, blood and fire and smoke mist; the sun will be turned into darkness and the moon into blood before the great and illustrious day of Jehovah arrives. And everyone who calls on the name of Jehovah will be saved.” (Acts 2:16-21) The crowds listening to Peter were all under the Mosaic Law, and therefore they knew the name of Jehovah. Peter explained that, henceforth, calling on Jehovah’s name would involve something more. Outstandingly, this included getting baptized in the name of Jesus, the one who had been killed and then resurrected to immortal heavenly life.—Acts 2:37, 38. 4 From Pentecost on, Christians spread the word about the resurrected Jesus. (1 Corinthians 1:23) They made known that humans could be adopted as spiritual sons of Jehovah God and become part of a new “Israel of God,” a spiritual nation that would ‘declare abroad Jehovah’s excellencies.’ (Galatians 6:16; 1 Peter 2:9) Those who remained faithful to the death would inherit immortal heavenly life as coheirs with Jesus in his heavenly Kingdom. (Matthew 24:13; Romans 8:15, 16; 1 Corinthians 15:50-54) Moreover, these Christians were to proclaim the coming of the great and fear-inspiring day of Jehovah. They had to warn the Jewish world that it would experience a tribulation eclipsing anything that had struck Jerusalem and God’s professed people up to that time. However, there would be survivors. Who? Those who called on Jehovah’s name.

Page 33

Index Joel Highlights from the Book of Joel -WT Library References

*** w94 2/15 pp. 18-19 pars. 11-13 “Tell Us, When Will These Things Be?” *** What, though, of Joel’s words about ‘the sun being turned into darkness and the moon into blood and the stars withdrawing their brightness’? Nothing indicates that this was fulfilled in 33 C.E. or during the more than 30-year-long span of the conclusion of the Jewish system of things. 12 Evidently that latter part of Joel’s prediction was more closely linked with “the coming of the great and fear-inspiring day of Jehovah”—the destruction of Jerusalem. The Watchtower of November 15, 1966, said about the tribulation that befell Jerusalem in 70 C.E.: “That was certainly a ‘day of Jehovah’ with reference to Jerusalem and her children. And in connection with that day there was plenty of ‘blood and fire and smoke mist,’ the sun not brightening the gloom of the city by day, and the moon suggesting shed blood, not peaceful, silvery moonlight by night.” 13 Yes, as with other prophecies that we have noted, the celestial phenomena Joel foretold were to be fulfilled when Jehovah exacted judgment. Rather than extending over the conclusion of the Jewish system, the darkening of the sun, moon, and stars occurred when the executionary forces came against Jerusalem. Logically, we can expect a larger fulfillment of that part of Joel’s prophecy when God’s execution of the present system gets under way.

*** w94 2/15 p. 19 “Tell Us, When Will These Things Be?” *** Josephus writes of developments between the Romans’ first assault on Jerusalem (66 C.E.) and its destruction: “During the night a devastating storm broke; a hurricane raged, rain fell in torrents, lightning flashed continuously, the thunderclaps were terrifying, the earth quaked with deafening roars. Disaster to the human race was plainly foreshadowed by this collapse of the whole framework of things, and no one could doubt that the omens portended a catastrophe without parallel.” (Joel 2:31) The sun will be turned into darkness and the moon into blood Before the coming of the great and awe-inspiring day of Jehovah.

*** it-1 p. 595 Day of Jehovah *** At Pentecost of 33 C.E., Peter explained that what was occurring was the fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy (Joe 2:28-32) concerning the outpouring of God’s spirit and that this too was due to happen before “the great and illustrious day of Jehovah.” (Ac 2:16-21) That “day of Jehovah” came in 70 C.E., when, in fulfillment of his Word, Jehovah caused the armies of Rome to execute divine judgment upon the nation that had rejected the Son of God and defiantly shouted: “We have no king but Caesar.”—Joh 19:15; Da 9:24-27.

Page 34

Index Joel Highlights from the Book of Joel -WT Library References

employed celestial phenomena, some of which have literally darkened the heavens.—Ex 10:21-23; Jos 10:12-14; Lu 23:44, 45. Upon Judah such a day of darkness came in fulfillment of Jehovah’s judgment through his prophet Joel, and it reached its culmination in Judah’s desolation by Babylon. (Joe 2:1, 2, 10, 30, 31; compare Jer 4:23, 28.) Any hope of help from a heavenly source seemed to have dried up, and as foretold at Deuteronomy 28:65-67, they came into “dread night and day,” with no relief or hope by sunlit morning or by moonlit evening. Yet, by the same prophet, Joel, Jehovah warned enemies of Judah that they would experience the same situation when he executed judgment upon them. (Joe 3:12-16) Ezekiel and Isaiah used this same figurative picture in foretelling God’s judgment on Egypt and on Babylon respectively.—Eze 32:7, 8, 12; Isa 13:1, 10, 11. The apostle Peter quoted Joel’s prophecy on the day of Pentecost when urging a crowd of listeners to “get saved from this crooked generation.” (Ac 2:1, 16-21, 40) The unheeding ones of that generation saw a time of grave darkness when the Romans besieged and eventually ravaged Jerusalem less than 40 years later.

*** it-2 p. 136 Judgment Day *** When Judah and Jerusalem became unfaithful and merited God’s disapproval, he promised to “execute in the midst of [her] judicial decisions.” (Eze 5:8) In 607 B.C.E. “the day of Jehovah’s fury” came with an execution of his destructive judgment. (Eze 7:19) However, another “day,” or time, of judgment on Jerusalem was foretold. Joel prophesied an outpouring of spirit before “the great and fear-inspiring day of Jehovah.” (Joe 2:28-31) Under inspiration Peter, on the day of Pentecost 33 C.E., explained that they were then experiencing a fulfillment of that prophecy. (Ac 2:16-20) The destructive “day of Jehovah” came in 70 C.E. when the Roman armies executed divine judgment upon the Jews. As Jesus foretold, those were “days for meting out justice.”—Lu 21:22; see DESTRUCTION.

Page 35

Index Joel Highlights from the Book of Joel -WT Library References

and their fulfillment meant that time was running out for the Jewish nation. “The great and illustrious day of Jehovah,” a time of reckoning for unfaithful Israel, was near. But who would be saved, or get away safe? And what did this foreshadow? Two Fulfillments of Prophecy 4 In the years following 33 C.E., the spiritual Israel of God flourished, but the fleshly nation of Israel did not. In 66 C.E., fleshly Israel was at war with Rome. In 70 C.E., Israel almost ceased to exist, and Jerusalem along with its temple was burned to the ground. At Pentecost 33 C.E., Peter gave fine counsel in view of that approaching tragedy. Again quoting Joel, he said: “Everyone who calls on the name of Jehovah will be saved.” Each individual Jew had to make a personal decision to call upon Jehovah’s name. This included heeding Peter’s further instructions: “Repent, and let each one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for forgiveness of your sins.” (Acts 2:38) Peter’s listeners had to accept Jesus as the Messiah, whom Israel as a nation had rejected. 5 Those prophetic words of Joel had a great impact on meek ones in the first century. However, they have an even greater impact today because, as events in the 20th century show, there has been a second fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy. Let us see how.

*** w97 3/1 p. 14 par. 2 Happy Are Those Who Stay Awake! *** Then Gog of Magog, Satan the Devil debased to the vicinity of the earth, will marshal his hordes and make an all-out attack on Jehovah’s peaceful, seemingly defenseless people. (Ezekiel 38:1-12) But God will act to rescue his people. That will mark the outbreak of “the great and fear-inspiring day of Jehovah.”—Joel 2:31; Ezekiel 38:18-20.

Page 36

Index Joel Highlights from the Book of Joel -WT Library References

3 At Pentecost 33 C.E., the apostle Peter addressed a crowd of Jews and proselytes in Jerusalem and quoted Joel’s prophecy, showing that his listeners could expect a fulfillment in their day: “I will give portents in heaven above and signs on earth below, blood and fire and smoke mist; the sun will be turned into darkness and the moon into blood before the great and illustrious day of Jehovah arrives. And everyone who calls on the name of Jehovah will be saved.” (Acts 2:16-21) The crowds listening to Peter were all under the Mosaic Law, and therefore they knew the name of Jehovah. Peter explained that, henceforth, calling on Jehovah’s name would involve something more. Outstandingly, this included getting baptized in the name of Jesus, the one who had been killed and then resurrected to immortal heavenly life.—Acts 2:37, 38. 4 From Pentecost on, Christians spread the word about the resurrected Jesus. (1 Corinthians 1:23) They made known that humans could be adopted as spiritual sons of Jehovah God and become part of a new “Israel of God,” a spiritual nation that would ‘declare abroad Jehovah’s excellencies.’ (Galatians 6:16; 1 Peter 2:9) Those who remained faithful to the death would inherit immortal heavenly life as coheirs with Jesus in his heavenly Kingdom. (Matthew 24:13; Romans 8:15, 16; 1 Corinthians 15:50-54) Moreover, these Christians were to proclaim the coming of the great and fear-inspiring day of Jehovah. They had to warn the Jewish world that it would experience a tribulation eclipsing anything that had struck Jerusalem and God’s professed people up to that time. However, there would be survivors. Who? Those who called on Jehovah’s name.

*** w95 2/15 p. 20 par. 10 “Have No Fear, Little Flock” *** 10 Satan and his demons have been debased to the vicinity of the earth. He and his hordes are being maneuvered to make their all-out attack on Jehovah’s people. This attack, foretold in the Bible, is described as the attack of Gog of Magog. Upon whom does the Devil specifically focus his assault? Is it not upon the last members of the little flock, the spiritual Israel of God, who are dwelling peacefully “in the center of the earth”? (Ezekiel 38:1-12) Yes, but the remnant of the faithful anointed class, together with their loyal companions, the other sheep, will witness how Satan’s attack precipitates a dramatic response on the part of Jehovah God. He will intervene in defense of his people, and this will trigger the outbreak of “the great and fear-inspiring day of Jehovah.” (Joel 2:31)

Page 37

Index Joel Highlights from the Book of Joel -WT Library References

foretold were to be fulfilled when Jehovah exacted judgment. Rather than extending over the conclusion of the Jewish system, the darkening of the sun, moon, and stars occurred when the executionary forces came against Jerusalem. Logically, we can expect a larger fulfillment of that part of Joel’s prophecy when God’s execution of the present system gets under way.

*** w92 5/1 p. 13 pars. 17-19 Keep Close in Mind the Day of Jehovah *** 17 On that happy occasion, Peter also quoted Joel 2:30-32: “I will give portents in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and columns of smoke. The sun itself will be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the coming of the great and fear- inspiring day of Jehovah. And it must occur that everyone who calls on the name of Jehovah will get away safe.” Those words had a partial fulfillment when Jerusalem was destroyed in 70 C.E. 18 There would, however, be a further application of Joel 2:28-32. Indeed, this prophecy has had remarkable fulfillment since September 1919. At that time a memorable convention of Jehovah’s people was held in Cedar Point, Ohio, U.S.A. God’s spirit was clearly manifest, and his anointed servants were stimulated to embark on the global witnessing campaign that extends into the present day. What grand expansion has resulted! The over 7,000 in attendance at that Cedar Point convention have grown to a total of 10,650,158 attending the Memorial of Jesus’ death on March 30, 1991. Of these, only 8,850 professed to be anointed Christians. How great the joy of all of these at seeing the global fruitage brought forth by Jehovah’s dynamic spirit!—Isaiah 40:29, 31. 19 Just ahead lies “the coming of the great and fear-inspiring day of Jehovah” that will devastate Satan’s system of things. (Joel 2:31) Happily, “everyone who calls on the name of Jehovah will be saved.” (Acts 2:21) How so? The apostle Peter tells us that “Jehovah’s day will come as a thief” and adds: “Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of persons ought you to be in holy acts of conduct and deeds of godly devotion, awaiting and keeping close in mind the presence of the day of Jehovah.” Keeping in mind that Jehovah’s day is at hand, we will rejoice also to see the fulfillment of Jehovah’s promise of righteous “new heavens and a new earth.”—2 Peter 3:10-13.

*** si p. 148 par. 13 Bible Book Number 29—Joel *** Joel’s prophecy at Joel 2:31, which tells of the sun turning into darkness, is paralleled as an event by the words at Isaiah 13:9, 10 and Revelation 6:12-17, and also at Matthew 24:29, 30, where Jesus shows the prophecy to apply at the time he comes as the Son of man with power and great glory.

Page 38

Index Joel Highlights from the Book of Joel -WT Library References

(Joel 2:32) And everyone who calls on the name of Jehovah will be saved; For on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be those who escape, just as Jehovah has said, The survivors whom Jehovah calls.”

*** w07 10/1 p. 13 par. 2 Highlights From the Books of Joel and Amos *** 2:32—What does it mean to ‘call on the name of Jehovah’? To call on God’s name means to know that name, to respect it deeply, and to rely upon and trust in the bearer of that name.—Romans 10:13, 14.

*** w07 10/1 p. 13 par. 6 Highlights From the Books of Joel and Amos *** 2:28-32. Only he “who calls on the name of Jehovah will get away safe” on “the great and fear-inspiring day of Jehovah.” How grateful we can be that Jehovah pours out his spirit on every sort of flesh and has young and old, male and female, share in the work of prophesying, that is, declaring “the magnificent things of God”! (Acts 2:11) As the day of Jehovah nears, should we not abound in “holy acts of conduct and deeds of godly devotion”?—2 Peter 3:10-12.

*** jd chap. 14 pp. 187-190 “A Blessing Until There Is No More Want” *** FAITH LEADS TO SALVATION 18 Underscoring a major factor that can bring you God’s lasting approval, Joel stated: “Everyone who calls on the name of Jehovah will get away safe.” (Joel 2:32) Two apostles, Peter and Paul, quoted this vital requirement. (Acts 2:21; Romans 10:13) Paul added another facet to that exhortation when he asked: “How will they call on him in whom they have not put faith?” (Romans 10:14) As for you, surely you want to call on the name of Jehovah and exercise faith in him now and forever! 19 Calling on Jehovah’s name involves more than just knowing and using God’s personal name. (Isaiah 1:15) The context of Joel 2:32 stresses true repentance and trust in Jehovah’s forgiveness. (Joel 2:12, 13) Calling on God’s name implies truly coming to know him, trust him, obey him, and put him first in our life. Yes, serving Jehovah becomes our top priority. That, in turn, greatly contributes to a satisfying and lasting life, which is a blessing from God.—Matthew 6:33. 20 Jehovah stated through Habakkuk: “As for the righteous one, by his faithfulness he will keep living.” (Habakkuk 2:4) Be sure to fix that deeply in mind and heart. It is one of the Bible’s central truths. Paul pointed to that scripture three times in his inspired writings. (Romans 1:16, 17; Galatians 3:11, 14; Hebrews 10:38) This truth calls on you to exercise faith in the sacrifice that Jesus Christ offered for our sins. Jesus explained: “God loved the world so much that he gave his only-begotten Son, in order that everyone exercising faith in him might . . . have everlasting life.” We also read: “He that exercises faith in the Son has everlasting life.” (John 3:16, 36) That sacrifice provides for the healing that only our Redeemer can offer. After recording Jehovah’s statement of what His great day will do to Satan’s wicked world, Malachi continued: “To you who are in fear of my name the sun of righteousness will certainly shine forth, with healing in its wings.” Yes, Jesus will shine forth with healing. That involves the spiritual healing that we experience now. Yet, how thrilling it is to think that it will extend to full physical healing in the new world!—Malachi 4:2.

Page 39

Index Joel Highlights from the Book of Joel -WT Library References

21 It is also vital to put faith in God’s ability to accomplish his will. In Micah’s day, it was difficult to trust fellow humans. The prophet noted: “Do not put your faith in a companion. Do not put your trust in a confidential friend.” Still, Micah had no problem trusting in Jehovah; neither should you. Micah stated: “As for me, it is for Jehovah that I shall keep on the lookout.” (Micah 7:5, 7) Unlike unpredictable humans, Jehovah has the will and the power to fulfill his purpose for the vindication of his sovereignty and the lasting welfare of men of faith. 22 You can confidently echo Habakkuk’s words: “I will exult in Jehovah himself; I will be joyful in the God of my salvation.” (Habakkuk 3:18) The prophet Joel makes clear a reason for joy on the part of those calling upon Jehovah’s name in faith: They “will get away safe” or, as Paul expressed it, “will be saved.” (Joel 2:32; Romans 10:13) Safe, or saved, in what sense? Your exercising faith has already saved you from the crafty acts of Satan and the many painful experiences that the wicked must face. (1 Peter 1:18) More than that, though, you can look forward with confidence to salvation through the catastrophic end of this wicked system of things. That will open the way for you to enjoy a host of blessings that were pointed to by the 12 prophets.

*** w98 5/1 pp. 13-19 Who Will “Get Away Safe”? *** Who Will “Get Away Safe”? “Everyone who calls on the name of Jehovah will be saved.”—ACTS 2:21.

PENTECOST 33 C.E. was a pivotal day in world history. Why? Because on that day a new nation was born. At first, it was not a very big nation—a mere 120 disciples of Jesus who had gathered in an upper room in Jerusalem. But today, when most nations that existed back then have been forgotten, the nation born in that upper room is still with us. This fact is of utmost importance to us all, since this is the nation appointed by God to be his witness before mankind. 2 When that new nation began to exist, important events took place that fulfilled Joel’s prophetic words. We read of these events at Acts 2:2-4: “Suddenly there occurred from heaven a noise just like that of a rushing stiff breeze, and it filled the whole house in which they were sitting. And tongues as if of fire became visible to them and were distributed about, and one sat upon each one of them, and they all became filled with holy spirit and started to speak with different tongues, just as the spirit was granting them to make utterance.” In this way those 120 faithful men and women became a spiritual nation, the first members of what the apostle Paul later called “the Israel of God.”—Galatians 6:16. 3 Crowds gathered to investigate the “rushing stiff breeze,” and the apostle Peter explained to them that one of Joel’s prophecies was being fulfilled. Which prophecy? Well, listen to what he said: “‘In the last days,’ God says, ‘I shall pour out some of my spirit upon every sort of flesh, and your sons and your daughters will prophesy and your young men will see visions and your old men will dream dreams; and even upon my men slaves and upon my women slaves I will pour out some of my spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. And I will give portents in heaven above and signs on earth below, blood and fire and smoke mist; the sun will be turned into darkness and the moon into blood before the great and illustrious day of Jehovah arrives. And everyone who calls on the name of Jehovah will be saved.’” (Acts 2:17-21) The words Peter quoted are found at Joel 2:28-32, and their fulfillment meant that time was running out for the Jewish nation. “The great and

Page 40

Index Joel Highlights from the Book of Joel -WT Library References

illustrious day of Jehovah,” a time of reckoning for unfaithful Israel, was near. But who would be saved, or get away safe? And what did this foreshadow?

Two Fulfillments of Prophecy 4 In the years following 33 C.E., the spiritual Israel of God flourished, but the fleshly nation of Israel did not. In 66 C.E., fleshly Israel was at war with Rome. In 70 C.E., Israel almost ceased to exist, and Jerusalem along with its temple was burned to the ground. At Pentecost 33 C.E., Peter gave fine counsel in view of that approaching tragedy. Again quoting Joel, he said: “Everyone who calls on the name of Jehovah will be saved.” Each individual Jew had to make a personal decision to call upon Jehovah’s name. This included heeding Peter’s further instructions: “Repent, and let each one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for forgiveness of your sins.” (Acts 2:38) Peter’s listeners had to accept Jesus as the Messiah, whom Israel as a nation had rejected. 5 Those prophetic words of Joel had a great impact on meek ones in the first century. However, they have an even greater impact today because, as events in the 20th century show, there has been a second fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy. Let us see how. 6 After the death of the apostles, the Israel of God came to be hidden by the weeds of false Christianity. However, during the time of the end, which started in 1914, the identity of this spiritual nation once again became clear. All of this was in fulfillment of Jesus’ parable of the wheat and the weeds. (Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43) As 1914 drew near, anointed Christians began to separate themselves from unfaithful Christendom, boldly rejecting her false doctrines and preaching the coming end of “the appointed times of the nations.” (Luke 21:24) But the first world war, which broke out in 1914, raised issues for which they were unprepared. Under intense pressure, many slowed down, and some compromised. By 1918 their preaching activity had virtually ceased. 7 Still, that did not last long. Starting in 1919, Jehovah began to pour out his spirit on his people in a way that called to mind Pentecost 33 C.E. Of course, in 1919 there was no speaking in tongues and no rushing stiff breeze. We understand from Paul’s words recorded at 1 Corinthians 13:8 that the time for miracles was long since past. Nevertheless, God’s spirit was clearly evident in 1919 when, at a convention in Cedar Point, Ohio, U.S.A., faithful Christians were reinvigorated and again began the work of preaching the good news of the Kingdom. In 1922 they returned to Cedar Point and were galvanized by the appeal “Advertise, advertise, advertise, the King and his kingdom.” As had happened in the first century, the world was forced to take note of the effects of the outpouring of God’s spirit. Every dedicated Christian—male and female, old and young— began to “prophesy,” that is, to declare “the magnificent things of God.” (Acts 2:11) Like Peter, they exhorted meek ones: “Get saved from this crooked generation.” (Acts 2:40) How could responsive ones do that? By heeding Joel’s words found at Joel 2:32: “Everyone who calls on the name of Jehovah will get away safe.” 8 Since those early years, the affairs of the Israel of God have moved ahead. The sealing of the anointed appears to be well advanced, and since the 1930’s a great crowd of meek ones with an earthly hope have appeared on the scene. (Revelation 7:3, 9) All feel a sense of urgency, for the second fulfillment of Joel 2:28, 29 shows that we are close to an even greater fear-inspiring day of Jehovah, when a worldwide religious, political, and commercial system of things will be destroyed. We have every reason to ‘call on the name

Page 41

Index Joel Highlights from the Book of Joel -WT Library References

of Jehovah’ in full faith that he will deliver us! How Do We Call on Jehovah’s Name? 9 What is involved in calling on Jehovah’s name? The context of Joel 2:28, 29 helps us to answer that question. For example, Jehovah does not listen to everyone who calls on him. Through another prophet, Isaiah, Jehovah said to Israel: “When you spread out your palms, I hide my eyes from you. Even though you make many prayers, I am not listening.” Why did Jehovah refuse to listen to his own nation? He himself explains: “With bloodshed your very hands have become filled.” (Isaiah 1:15) Jehovah will not listen to any who are bloodguilty or are practicing sin. That is why Peter told the Jews at Pentecost to repent. In the context of Joel 2:28, 29, we find that Joel too stresses repentance. For example, at Joel 2:12, 13, we read: “‘And now also,’ the utterance of Jehovah is, ‘come back to me with all your hearts, and with fasting and with weeping and with wailing. And rip apart your hearts, and not your garments; and come back to Jehovah your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abundant in loving-kindness.’” Starting in 1919, anointed Christians acted in harmony with these words. They repented over their failures and determined never again to compromise or slow down. This opened the way for God’s spirit to be poured out. Every individual who wants to call on Jehovah’s name and be heard must follow the same course. 10 Remember, true repentance is more than merely saying, “I am sorry.” Israelites used to rip their outer garments to show the intensity of their feelings. But Jehovah says: “Rip apart your hearts, and not your garments.” True repentance comes from the heart, from the depths of our being. It includes turning our backs on wrongdoing, even as we read at Isaiah 55:7: “Let the wicked man leave his way, and the harmful man his thoughts; and let him return to Jehovah.” It involves hating sin, just as Jesus did. (Hebrews 1:9) Then, we trust Jehovah to forgive us on the basis of the ransom sacrifice because Jehovah is “gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abundant in loving-kindness.” He will accept our worship, our spiritual grain offering and drink offering. He will listen when we call upon his name.—Joel 2:14. 11 In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gave us something else to bear in mind, when he said: “Keep on, then, seeking first the kingdom and his righteousness.” (Matthew 6:33) Our worship is not to be viewed casually, as something we do in a token way to soothe our conscience. Serving God deserves the first place in our life. Thus, through Joel, Jehovah goes on to say: “Blow a horn in Zion . . . Gather the people together. Sanctify a congregation. Collect the old men together. Gather children and those sucking the breasts together. Let the bridegroom go forth from his interior room, and the bride from her nuptial chamber.” (Joel 2:15, 16) It is natural for newlyweds to be distracted, having eyes only for each other. But even for them, serving Jehovah must come first. Nothing should come ahead of our being gathered to our God, calling on his name. 12 With this in mind, let us consider a statistic revealed by the 1997 Service Year Report of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Last year saw a peak of 5,599,931 Kingdom publishers—truly a great crowd of praisers! Attendance at the Memorial was 14,322,226—about eight and a half million more than the number of publishers. That figure shows a wonderful potential for growth. Many of those eight and a half million were already studying the Bible with Jehovah’s Witnesses as interested persons or as children of baptized parents. A large number were attending a meeting for the very first time. Their being present gave Jehovah’s Witnesses a fine opportunity to get to know them better and to offer to help

Page 42

Index Joel Highlights from the Book of Joel -WT Library References

them make further progress. Then, there were those who attend the Memorial each year and perhaps attend a few other meetings, but they make no further progress. Of course, such ones are very welcome to attend meetings. But we urge them to meditate carefully on Joel’s prophetic words and consider what further steps they must take to be sure that Jehovah will hear when they call on his name. 13 The apostle Paul stressed another aspect of calling on God’s name. In his letter to the Romans, he quoted Joel’s prophetic words: “Everyone who calls on the name of Jehovah will be saved.” Then he reasoned: “How will they call on him in whom they have not put faith? How, in turn, will they put faith in him of whom they have not heard? How, in turn, will they hear without someone to preach?” (Romans 10:13, 14) Yes, many others who up to now have not come to know Jehovah need to call on his name. Those who already know Jehovah have the responsibility not only to preach but also to reach out and give them that help. A Spiritual Paradise 14 That is the way both the anointed and the other sheep view things, and as a result, Jehovah blesses them. “Jehovah will be zealous for his land and will show compassion upon his people.” (Joel 2:18) In 1919, Jehovah showed zeal and compassion for his people when he restored them and brought them into his realm of spiritual activity. This is truly a spiritual paradise, well described by Joel in these words: “Do not be fearful, O ground. Be joyful and rejoice; for Jehovah will actually do a great thing in what He does. Do not be fearful, you beasts of the open field, for the pasture grounds of the wilderness will certainly grow green. For the tree will actually give its fruitage. The fig tree and the vine must give their vital energy. And, you sons of Zion, be joyful and rejoice in Jehovah your God; for he will be bound to give you the autumn rain in right measure, and he will bring down upon you people a downpour, autumn rain and spring rain, as at the first. And the threshing floors must be full of cleansed grain, and the press vats must overflow with new wine and oil.”—Joel 2:21-24. 15 What a delightful picture! Abundant provisions of three staples of life in Israel—grain, olive oil, and wine—together with plentiful flocks. In our day those prophetic words are indeed fulfilled in a spiritual way. Jehovah provides us all the spiritual food we need. Do we not all delight in such God-given abundance? Truly, as Malachi foretold, our God has ‘opened the floodgates of the heavens and emptied out upon us a blessing until there is no more want.’—Malachi 3:10. The End of a System of Things 16 It is after foretelling the paradisaic condition of God’s people that Joel prophesies about the pouring out of Jehovah’s spirit. When Peter quoted this prophecy at Pentecost, he said that it was fulfilled “in the last days.” (Acts 2:17) The outpouring of God’s spirit back then meant that the last days had begun for the Jewish system of things. The outpouring of God’s spirit on the Israel of God in the 20th century means that we are living in the last days of the worldwide system of things. In view of this, what does the future hold? Joel’s prophecy goes on to tell us: “I will give portents in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and columns of smoke. The sun itself will be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the coming of the great and fear-inspiring day of Jehovah.”—Joel 2:30, 31. 17 In 66 C.E., these prophetic words started to come true in Judea as events moved inexorably toward the climax of the fear-inspiring day of Jehovah in 70 C.E. How terrifying

Page 43

Index Joel Highlights from the Book of Joel -WT Library References

at that time to be among those not exalting the name of Jehovah! Today, events just as terrifying lie ahead, when this whole world system of things will be destroyed at Jehovah’s hand. Still, escape is possible. The prophecy goes on to say: “It must occur that everyone who calls on the name of Jehovah will get away safe; for in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will prove to be the escaped ones, just as Jehovah has said, and in among the survivors, whom Jehovah is calling.” (Joel 2:32) Jehovah’s Witnesses are truly grateful to know Jehovah’s name, and they have complete trust that he will save them when they call on him. 18 What, though, will happen when the great and illustrious day of Jehovah strikes this world in all its fury? That will be discussed in the final study article.

*** yb98 pp. 3-5 Jehovah’s Witnesses—1998 Yearbook Report *** WITH a tone of great urgency, the prophet Joel foretold the coming of the day of Jehovah. And he identified the key to survival when he wrote: “It must occur that everyone who calls on the name of Jehovah will get away safe.”—Joel 1:15; 2:1, 28-32. Such a day of Jehovah came upon Jerusalem in 607 B.C.E. It was a time when Jehovah executed judgment. Years in advance he had warned the inhabitants of Judah and of Jerusalem that they faced serious accountability for treating him with disrespect. Oh, they knew his name and made use of it, but they did not sincerely inquire of Jehovah for direction. They did not really feel that Jehovah would call them to account for what they were doing. (Neh. 9:26; Zeph. 1:4-6, 12) For them to call out to Jehovah in the day of distress would be a mockery, and Jehovah said that he would not listen. (Jer. 11:10, 11) But when Jerusalem was destroyed, lovers of righteousness such as Jeremiah, Baruch, Ebed-melech, and the sons of Jonadab were spared because they were earnestly seeking to do what is right and pleasing to God. The apostle Peter explained that Joel’s prophecy also had a first-century fulfillment. Directed by holy spirit, Peter showed that what occurred at Pentecost 33 C.E. was in fulfillment of what Joel had written about the outpouring of God’s spirit before the coming of Jehovah’s day. That day of Jehovah came in destructive fury upon Jerusalem in 70 C.E. (Acts 2:16-21) However, about 14 years before that, the apostle Paul wrote to Christians in Rome and quoted from Joel 2:32. (Rom. 10:13) Why? To emphasize God’s impartiality toward Jews and Greeks. As the prophet had written, salvation was available to “everyone who calls on the name of Jehovah.” But why did Christians in Rome need to be warned about a destruction that was to come upon distant Jerusalem? So that they would stay out of the danger zone. Any who went up to the Jewish Passover festival in Jerusalem in 70 C.E. were trapped when calamity came upon that city. But nearly four years before that, those who heeded God’s word through his Son had cleared out of that doomed city.—Luke 21:20-22. An even more far-reaching day of Jehovah now lies immediately before us. The execution of Jehovah’s judgment will reach into every corner of the globe. But salvation is possible for everyone—no matter what his nationality, race, or language—who with full faith calls on the name of Jehovah and exercises faith in the sin-atoning sacrifice of his Son, Jesus Christ. (Rev. 7:9, 10) Yet, Romans 10:14 asks: “How will they call on him in whom they have not put faith? How, in turn, will they put faith in him of whom they have not heard?” Jehovah’s Witnesses recognize the urgency of giving everyone that opportunity.

Page 44

Index Joel Highlights from the Book of Joel -WT Library References

*** w97 12/15 pp. 19-20 par. 13 Make Public Declaration for Salvation *** 13 Quoting Joel 2:32, Paul declares: “Everyone who calls on the name of Jehovah will be saved.” (Romans 10:13) How appropriate it is that those words have been chosen as the yeartext of Jehovah’s Witnesses for 1998! Never before has it been more important to move forward with trust in Jehovah, making known his name and the grand purposes for which it stands! As in the first century, so in the last days of the present corrupt system of things, the resounding cry goes out: “Get saved from this crooked generation.” (Acts 2:40) It is a trumpetlike invitation for all God-fearing people worldwide to call on Jehovah to grant salvation to them and also to those who listen to their public declaration of the good news.—1 Timothy 4:16.

Page 45

Index Joel Highlights from the Book of Joel -WT Library References

*** w92 5/1 p. 15 pars. 6-7 Who Will Escape the “Time of Distress”? *** 6 Joel 2:32 says that “everyone who calls on the name of Jehovah will get away safe; for in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will prove to be the escaped ones, just as Jehovah has said, and in among the survivors, whom Jehovah is calling.” Jehovah draws them out, and they call on his name with faith in Jesus’ sacrifice before the climactic shaking of the great tribulation. (Compare John 6:44; Acts 2:38, 39.) Happily, the precious great crowd, now numbering more than four million, ‘comes into’ Jehovah’s house of worship in anticipation of his ‘rocking all the nations’ at Armageddon.—Revelation 7:9, 10, 14. 7 How do these survivors call on the name of Jehovah? James 4:8 gives us an indication, stating: “Draw close to God, and he will draw close to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you indecisive ones.” As with the anointed remnant who led the way, those who hope to be of the great crowd of Armageddon survivors must act decisively. If you hope to survive, you must drink deeply from Jehovah’s purifying Word and apply his righteous standards in your life. You must be decisive in dedicating your life to Jehovah, symbolizing this by water baptism. Your calling on Jehovah in faith also includes witnessing for him. Thus, at Romans chapter 10, verses 9 and 10, Paul writes: “If you publicly declare that ‘word in your own mouth,’ that Jesus is Lord, and exercise faith in your heart that God raised him up from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one exercises faith for righteousness, but with the mouth one makes public declaration for salvation.” Then, in verse 13, the apostle quotes Joel’s prophecy, emphasizing that “everyone who calls on the name of Jehovah will be saved.”

Page 46

Index Joel Highlights from the Book of Joel -WT Library References

*** si p. 147 par. 12 Bible Book Number 29—Joel *** 12 Some commentators have described Joel as a prophet of gloom. However, from the point of view of God’s own people, he appears as the proclaimer of glorious tidings of deliverance. The apostle Paul emphasizes this thought at Romans 10:13, saying: “For ‘everyone who calls on the name of Jehovah will be saved.’” (Joel 2:32)

*** w89 3/15 p. 30 Call on Jehovah’s Name and Get Away Safe! *** 2:31, 32—Jehovah provided escape from destruction for faithful ones in the time of Joel. Now, in these “last days,” God is making salvation possible through Jesus Christ. (2 Timothy 3:1; Romans 5:8, 12; 6:23) However, it is upon the name of Jehovah that sinful humans must call for everlasting salvation. This means knowing the divine name, respecting it fully, and relying completely on the One bearing it. Those thus calling on Jehovah’s name in faith “will get away safe” when God executes his judgment upon the nations during his “great and fear-inspiring day.”—Zephaniah 2:2, 3; 3:12; Romans 10:11- 13. (Joel 3:2) I will also gather together all the nations And bring them down to the Valley of Je·hoshʹa·phat. I will enter into judgment with them there In behalf of my people and my inheritance Israel, For they scattered them among the nations, And they divided up my land among themselves.

*** it-1 p. 1272 Jehoshaphat, Low Plain of *** JEHOSHAPHAT, LOW PLAIN OF

Evidently a symbolic place, also called the “low plain of the decision.” (Joe 3:2, 14) Since it relates to God’s execution of judgment, it is appropriately designated as “the low plain of Jehoshaphat,” for the name Jehoshaphat means “Jehovah Is Judge.” Also, during Jehoshaphat’s reign Jehovah delivered Judah and Jerusalem from the combined forces of Ammon, Moab, and the mountainous region of Seir, causing the enemy forces to become confused and to slaughter one another.—2Ch 20:1-29. At the symbolic “low plain of Jehoshaphat” Jehovah judges the nations as worthy of execution on account of their mistreatment of his people. The low plain itself serves as a huge symbolic winepress for crushing the nations like bunches of grapes. To link “the low plain of Jehoshaphat” literally with the Kidron Valley, the Valley of Hinnom, or the Valley of Jezreel, as some have done, is hardly plausible. None of these valleys would be large enough to accommodate “all” the nations.—Joe 3:1-3, 12-14; compare Re 14:18-20.

*** w89 3/15 p. 30 Call on Jehovah’s Name and Get Away Safe! *** 3:2, 14—The symbolic place for executing divine judgment in “the day of Jehovah” is called “the low plain of the decision.” It is also termed “the low plain of Jehoshaphat.” This is appropriate, since the name Jehoshaphat means “Jehovah Is Judge.” During the reign of King Jehoshaphat, God delivered Judah and Jerusalem from the forces of Moab, Ammon, and the mountainous region of Seir, causing them to become confused and to slaughter one another. (2 Chronicles 20:1-30) In our day, “the low plain of Jehoshaphat” serves as a symbolic winepress in which the nations are crushed like grapes for

Page 47

Index Joel Highlights from the Book of Joel -WT Library References

mistreating Jehovah’s people.

(Joel 3:3) For my people they cast lots; They would trade a boy to hire a prostitute And sell a girl for wine to drink.

*** w98 5/1 p. 22 pars. 9-10 Judgment Executed in the Low Plain of Decision *** Joel 3:3 speaks of enemies of his people who “would give the male child for a prostitute, and the female child they sold for wine.” Yes, they view God’s servants as far beneath them, their children worth no more than the hire of a prostitute or the cost of a jug of wine. They will have to answer for that. 10 Equally worthy of judgment are those who commit spiritual harlotry. (Revelation 17:3-6) (Joel 3:4) Also, what do you have against me, O Tyre and Siʹdon and all the regions of Phi·lisʹti·a? Are you repaying me for something? If you are repaying me, I will swiftly, speedily bring your repayment on your heads.

*** si p. 146 par. 4 Bible Book Number 29—Joel *** Joel’s prophecies against neighbor nations were all fulfilled. The great city of Tyre was besieged by Nebuchadnezzar, and later the island city was brought to ruin by Alexander the Great. Philistia likewise perished. Edom became a wilderness. (Joel 3:4, 19) (Joel 3:6) And the people of Judah and Jerusalem you have sold to the Greeks, In order to remove them far from their territory;

*** it-1 p. 1000 Greece, Greeks *** Slaves are thought to have formed as much as one third the population of many city- states, and doubtless their slave labor made possible the free time needed by the “citizens” to participate in the political assembly. It may be noted that the earliest reference to Greece in the Hebrew Scriptures, about the ninth century B.C.E., speaks of Judeans being sold by Tyre, Sidon, and Philistia as slaves to “the sons of the Greeks [literally, “Javanites” or “Ionians”].”—Joe 3:4-6.

*** it-1 pp. 1257-1258 Javan *** Following the Genesis account, the descendants of Javan first begin to be mentioned about the latter part of the ninth century B.C.E. by the prophet Joel. The prophet there condemns the Tyrians, Sidonians, and Philistines for selling the sons of Judah and Jerusalem in their slave trade with “the sons of the Greeks” (literally, “the Javanites,” or “the Ionians”). (Joe 3:4-6)

*** nwt p. 1700 Glossary of Bible Terms *** Greek. The language spoken by the people of Greece; also, a native of Greece or one whose family originated there. In the Christian Greek Scriptures, the word also has a broader usage, referring to all non-Jewish peoples or to those who were influenced by Greek language and culture.—Joe 3:6; Joh 12:20.

Page 48

Index Joel Highlights from the Book of Joel -WT Library References

*** w89 3/15 p. 30 Call on Jehovah’s Name and Get Away Safe! *** 3:6—Tyre, Sidon, and Philistia were guilty of selling people of Judah and Jerusalem into slavery to the Greeks. Possibly, some Jews captured by other nations came into the hands of Tyrian, Sidonian, and Philistine slave traders. Worse yet, perhaps these nations made slaves of Jews who sought refuge from their enemies. Whatever the case was, God called those traffickers in human life to account for mistreating his people. This indicates what awaits nations that persecute Jehovah’s servants today. (Joel 3:7) Here I am rousing them to come from the place where you sold them, And I will bring your repayment on your heads.

*** w98 5/1 p. 22 par. 10 Judgment Executed in the Low Plain of Decision *** And especially reprehensible are those who nudge the political powers into persecuting Jehovah’s Witnesses and obstructing their activity, as some rabble-rousing religious leaders have been doing in Eastern Europe in recent times. Jehovah expresses his determination to act against such workers of iniquity.—Joel 3:4-8. (Joel 3:8) I will sell your sons and daughters into the hand of the people of Judah, And they will sell them to the men of Sheʹba, to a nation far away; For Jehovah himself has spoken it.

*** it-2 pp. 633-634 Philistia *** Prophetic References. The prophecy of Joel indicated that because of their selling “the sons of Judah” and “the sons of Jerusalem” to “the sons of the Greeks,” the Philistines would experience like treatment. (Joe 3:4-8) Since the words of the prophet Joel appear to have been recorded in the ninth century B.C.E., the defeats of the Philistines at the hands of Uzziah (2Ch 26:6-8) and Hezekiah (2Ki 18:8) could have been included in the fulfillment of this prophecy. However, a larger fulfillment evidently came after the Israelites returned from Babylonian exile. Notes commentator C. F. Keil: “Alexander the Great and his successors set many of the Jewish prisoners of war in their lands at liberty (compare the promise of King Demetrius to Jonathan, ‘I will send away in freedom such of the Judaeans as have been made prisoners, and reduced to slavery in our land,’ Josephus, Ant. xiii. 2, 3), and portions of the Philistian and Phoenician lands were for a time under Jewish sway.” (Commentary on the Old Testament, 1973, Vol. X, Joel, p. 224) (Compare Ob 19, 20.) Noteworthy, too, is the fact that Alexander the Great took the Philistine city of Gaza. Many of the inhabitants were slain, and the survivors were sold into slavery. A number of other prophecies likewise pointed to the execution of Jehovah’s vengeance upon the Philistines.—Isa 14:31; Jer 25:9, 20; 47:1-7; Eze 25:15, 16; Am 1:6-8; Zep 2:5; Zec 9:5-7; for details see ASHDOD;

Page 49

Index Joel Highlights from the Book of Joel -WT Library References

ASHKELON; EKRON; GATH; GAZA No. 1.

(Joel 3:9) Proclaim this among the nations: ‘Prepare for war! Stir up the mighty men! Let all the soldiers draw near, let them advance!

*** jd chap. 13 p. 169 par. 7 “Proclaim This, You People, Among the Nations” *** The prophet Joel told God’s people: “Proclaim this, you people, among the nations, ‘Sanctify war! Arouse the powerful men! Let them draw near! Let them come up, all the men of war!’” (Joel 3:9) As it applies in our day, what a challenge that is to the nations! It is a declaration of Jehovah’s righteous war against God-defying people.

*** w98 5/1 p. 22 Judgment Executed in the Low Plain of Decision *** “Sanctify War!” 11 Next, Jehovah calls on his people to proclaim a challenge among the nations: “Sanctify war! Arouse the powerful men! Let them draw near! Let them come up, all the men of war!” (Joel 3:9) This is a declaration of an unusual kind of warfare—righteous warfare. Jehovah’s loyal Witnesses rely on spiritual weapons as they respond to lying propaganda, counteracting falsehood with truth. (2 Corinthians 10:4; Ephesians 6:17) Soon, God will sanctify “the war of the great day of God the Almighty.” (Revelation 16:14) It will rid the earth of all opposers of God’s sovereignty. His people on earth will have no physical part therein. Literally and figuratively, they have ‘beaten swords into plowshares and spears into pruning shears.’ (Isaiah 2:4)

*** w92 5/1 pp. 8-9 Keep Close in Mind the Day of Jehovah *** Keep Close in Mind the Day of Jehovah “The day of Jehovah is near in the low plain of the decision.”—JOEL 3:14.

“PROCLAIM this, you people, among the nations, ‘Sanctify war!’” (Joel 3:9) Does this mean a holy war? Looking back on the Crusades, the religious wars, and the two world wars—in which Christendom played a leading part—we might shudder at the thought of a “holy” war. However, the holy war of Joel’s prophecy is not a war among the nations. It is not a hate-filled struggle for territory or possessions, using religion as an excuse. It is a righteous war. It is God’s war to rid the earth of greed, strife, corruption, and oppression. It will vindicate Jehovah’s rightful sovereignty over the entire realm of his creation. That war will clear the way for Christ’s Kingdom to usher mankind into the Millennium of universal peace, prosperity, and happiness foretold by God’s prophets.—Psalm 37:9-11; Isaiah 65:17, 18; Revelation 20:6. 2 What, then, is “the day of Jehovah” foretold at Joel 3:14? “Alas for the day,” Jehovah himself exclaims, “because the day of Jehovah is near, and like a despoiling from the Almighty One it will come!” How is it a despoiling? The prophet later explains: “Crowds, crowds are in the low plain of the decision, for the day of Jehovah is near in the low plain of the decision.” (Joel 1:15; 3:14) This is the day on which Jehovah executes his judicial decision on the godless crowds of humanity that reject his rightful sovereignty over heaven and earth. It is Jehovah’s decision to despoil the satanic system of things that has for so

Page 50

Index Joel Highlights from the Book of Joel -WT Library References

long embraced mankind in its tentacles.—Jeremiah 17:5-7; 25:31-33. 3 The corrupt system on earth must face up to that decision. But is the world system really that bad? One look at its record should suffice! Jesus stated a principle at Matthew 7:16: “By their fruits you will recognize them.” Have not the world’s great cities become cesspools of drugs, crime, terror, immorality, and pollution? In many lands newly found freedoms are being stifled by political confusion, food shortages, and poverty. More than a billion people live on starvation rations. Further, the AIDS epidemic, fueled by drugs and immoral life-styles, casts a dark cloud over a great part of the earth. Particularly since World War I exploded in 1914, there has been deterioration on a worldwide scale in every aspect of life.—Compare 2 Timothy 3:1-5. 4 However, Jehovah has been gathering out of all the nations a people who gladly receive instruction about his ways and walk in his paths. This globe-encircling people has beaten swords into plowshares, renouncing the violent ways of the world. (Isaiah 2:2-4) Yes, swords into plowshares! But is this not the reverse of the cry that Jehovah causes to be proclaimed at Joel 3:9, 10? There we read: “Proclaim this, you people, among the nations, ‘Sanctify war! Arouse the powerful men! Let them draw near! Let them come up, all the men of war! Beat your plowshares into swords and your pruning shears into lances.’” Ah, here Jehovah is challenging the world’s rulers to bring their combined armed might against him at Armageddon. But they cannot succeed! They must go down in total defeat!— Revelation 16:16. (Joel 3:10) Beat your plowshares into swords and your pruning shears into spears. Let the weak one say: “I am powerful.”

*** it-1 p. 811 Farming Implements *** Pruning shears are specifically mentioned in the Bible with reference to pruning the vine. (Isa 18:5) Since the Scriptures refer to converting spears into pruning shears and, by contrast, pruning shears into lances, this tool perhaps consisted of a sharp knifelike blade fastened to a handle and may have been similar to a sickle.—Isa 2:4; Joe 3:10.

*** jd chap. 13 p. 169 par. 7 “Proclaim This, You People, Among the Nations” *** Whereas Jehovah instructs his people to “beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning shears,” he tells the enemy nations to “beat [their] plowshares into swords and [their] pruning shears into lances.” (Micah 4:3; Joel 3:10) Yes, God’s enemies must prepare themselves to meet the Creator of the universe in war. That is no soothing message for us to deliver.

*** w98 5/1 pp. 22-23 pars. 11-13 Judgment Executed in the Low Plain of Decision *** In contrast, Jehovah challenges the opposing nations to do the reverse: “Beat your plowshares into swords and your pruning shears into lances.” (Joel 3:10) He invites them to throw their entire arsenal of war machines and modern armaments into the battle. But they cannot succeed, for the struggle and the victory belong to Jehovah! 12 In the early 1990’s, the nations declared that the Cold War was over. In view of that, has the United Nations’ primary goal of peace and security been achieved? Hardly! What do events in Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Iraq, Liberia, Rwanda, Somalia,

Page 51

Index Joel Highlights from the Book of Joel -WT Library References

and the former Yugoslavia tell us? In the words of Jeremiah 6:14, they are saying: “‘There is peace! There is peace!’ when there is no peace.” 13 Even though outright war has ceased in some places, member nations of the UN still compete with one another in manufacturing sophisticated weapons of war. Some continue to maintain stockpiles of nuclear weapons. Others develop chemical or bacteriological weapons of mass destruction. As those nations gather to the symbolic location called Armageddon, he challenges them: “As for the weak one, let him say: ‘I am a powerful man.’ Lend your aid and come, all you nations round about, and collect yourselves together.”

*** w92 5/1 p. 9 par. 4 Keep Close in Mind the Day of Jehovah *** 4 However, Jehovah has been gathering out of all the nations a people who gladly receive instruction about his ways and walk in his paths. This globe-encircling people has beaten swords into plowshares, renouncing the violent ways of the world. (Isaiah 2:2-4) Yes, swords into plowshares! But is this not the reverse of the cry that Jehovah causes to be proclaimed at Joel 3:9, 10? There we read: “Proclaim this, you people, among the nations, ‘Sanctify war! Arouse the powerful men! Let them draw near! Let them come up, all the men of war! Beat your plowshares into swords and your pruning shears into lances.’” Ah, here Jehovah is challenging the world’s rulers to bring their combined armed might against him at Armageddon. But they cannot succeed! They must go down in total defeat!— Revelation 16:16. (Joel 3:11) Come and help, all you surrounding nations, assemble together!’” To that place, O Jehovah, bring down your powerful ones.

*** w98 5/1 pp. 23-24 pars. 13-15 Judgment Executed in the Low Plain of Decision *** Joel then breaks in with his own appeal: “To that place, O Jehovah, bring your powerful ones down.”—Joel 3:10, 11. Jehovah Protects His Own 14 Who are Jehovah’s powerful ones? Some 280 times in the Bible, the true God is called “Jehovah of armies.” (2 Kings 3:14) These armies are the angelic hosts of heaven that stand ready to do Jehovah’s bidding. When the Syrians sought to seize Elisha, Jehovah finally opened the eyes of Elisha’s attendant so that he could see why they would not succeed: “Look! the mountainous region was full of horses and war chariots of fire all around Elisha.” (2 Kings 6:17) Jesus said that he could have appealed to his Father for “more than twelve legions of angels.” (Matthew 26:53) Describing Jesus’ riding forth to execute judgment at Armageddon, Revelation states: “The armies that were in heaven were following him on white horses, and they were clothed in white, clean, fine linen. And out of his mouth there protrudes a sharp long sword, that he may strike the nations with it, and he will shepherd them with a rod of iron. He treads too the winepress of the anger of the wrath of God the Almighty.” (Revelation 19:14, 15) That symbolic winepress is described in vivid terms as “the great winepress of the anger of God.”—Revelation 14:17- 20. 15 How, then, does Jehovah answer Joel’s petition to bring God’s own powerful ones down?

Page 52

Index Joel Highlights from the Book of Joel -WT Library References

(Joel 3:12) “Let the nations be roused and come up to the Valley of Je·hoshʹa·phat; For there I will sit in order to judge all the surrounding nations.

*** w98 5/1 pp. 19-25 Judgment Executed in the Low Plain of Decision *** Judgment Executed in the Low Plain of Decision “Let the nations . . . come up to the low plain of Jehoshaphat; for there I shall sit in order to judge all the nations.”—JOEL 3:12.

“CROWDS, crowds are in the low plain of the decision”! We read those stirring words at Joel 3:14. Why are these crowds assembled? Joel answers: “The day of Jehovah is near.” It is the great day of Jehovah’s vindication—the day for executing judgment on the multitudes who have rejected God’s established Kingdom under Christ Jesus. At long last, the “four angels” of Revelation chapter 7 are to release their tight hold on “the four winds of the earth,” resulting in “great tribulation such as has not occurred since the world’s beginning until now, no, nor will occur again.”—Revelation 7:1; Matthew 24:21. 2 At Joel 3:12, the location for this execution of judgment is called “the low plain of Jehoshaphat.” Appropriately, during a tempestuous period of Judah’s history, Jehovah executed judgment there in behalf of good King Jehoshaphat, whose name means “Jehovah Is Judge.” A consideration of what happened at that time will help us better to appreciate what is about to take place in our time. The record is found in 2 Chronicles chapter 20. In verse 1 of that chapter, we read that “the sons of Moab and the sons of Ammon and with them some of the Ammonim came against Jehoshaphat in war.” How did Jehoshaphat react? He did what faithful servants of Jehovah always do in a crisis. He turned to Jehovah for guidance, praying fervently: “O our God, will you not execute judgment upon them? For in us there is no power before this large crowd that is coming against us; and we ourselves do not know what we ought to do, but our eyes are toward you.”—2 Chronicles 20:12. Jehovah Answers a Prayer 3 While “all those of Judah were standing before Jehovah, even their little ones, their wives and their sons,” Jehovah gave his response. (2 Chronicles 20:13) Just as he uses his “faithful and discreet slave” today, so the great Hearer of prayer empowered the Levite prophet Jahaziel to provide His answer to those assembled. (Matthew 24:45) We read: “Here is what Jehovah has said to you, ‘Do not you be afraid or be terrified because of this large crowd; for the battle is not yours, but God’s. . . . You will not need to fight in this instance. Take your position, stand still and see the salvation of Jehovah in your behalf. . . . Do not be afraid or be terrified. Tomorrow go out against them, and Jehovah will be with you.’”—2 Chronicles 20:15-17. 4 Jehovah required more of King Jehoshaphat and his people than that they merely sit idly by, awaiting a miraculous deliverance. They were to take the initiative in coping with the enemy’s challenge. The king and ‘all those of Judah, even their little ones, their wives and their sons,’ expressed strong faith as they obediently rose early in the morning and marched out to meet the invading hordes. On the way, the king continued to provide theocratic instruction and encouragement, urging them: “Put faith in Jehovah your God that you may prove yourselves of long duration. Put faith in his prophets and so prove successful.” (2 Chronicles 20:20) Faith in Jehovah! Faith in his prophets! Therein lay the key to success. Likewise today, as we continue active in Jehovah’s service, may we never

Page 53

Index Joel Highlights from the Book of Joel -WT Library References

doubt that he will make our faith victorious! 5 Like the Judeans of Jehoshaphat’s day, we must “give praise to Jehovah, for to time indefinite is his loving-kindness.” How do we render this praise? By our zealous Kingdom preaching! As those Judeans “started off with the joyful cry and praise,” so we add to our faith works. (2 Chronicles 20:21, 22) Yes, let us exhibit similar sterling faith as Jehovah prepares to move into action against his enemies! Though the road may appear to be long, let us be determined to endure, active in faith, even as his victorious people are doing in trouble spots of the earth today. In some lands hit hard by persecution, violence, famine, and dire economic conditions, faithful servants of God are experiencing remarkable results, as the 1998 Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses reports. Jehovah Saves His People 6 The ungodly nations surrounding Judah tried to engulf God’s people, but with exemplary faith Jehovah’s servants responded by singing his praises. We can express the same faith today. By filling our lives with works of praise to Jehovah, we strengthen our spiritual armor, leaving no room for Satan’s crafty devices to penetrate. (Ephesians 6:11) Strong faith will stifle the temptation to become distracted by the degraded entertainment, materialism, and apathy that characterize the dying world around us. This invincible faith will keep us serving loyally with “the faithful and discreet slave” as we are continually nourished by the diet of spiritual food provided “at the proper time.”—Matthew 24:45. 7 Our Bible-based faith will strengthen us to stand firm against hate campaigns stirred up by those who manifest the spirit of the “evil slave” of Matthew 24:48-51. Fulfilling this prophecy in a remarkable way, apostates are actively sowing lies and propaganda in many lands today, even conniving with some in positions of authority among the nations. Where appropriate, Jehovah’s Witnesses have responded, as described at Philippians 1:7, by ‘defending and legally establishing the good news.’ For example, on September 26, 1996, in a case from Greece, the nine judges of the European Court of Human Rights, at Strasbourg, unanimously reaffirmed that “Jehovah’s Witnesses come within the definition of ‘known religion,’” entitled to enjoy freedom of thought, conscience, and belief, and the right to make known their faith. As for apostates, God’s judgment states: “The saying of the true proverb has happened to them: ‘The dog has returned to its own vomit, and the sow that was bathed to rolling in the mire.’”—2 Peter 2:22. 8 Back in Jehoshaphat’s day, Jehovah executed judgment against those who wanted to harm His people. We read: “Jehovah set men in ambush against the sons of Ammon, Moab and the mountainous region of Seir who were coming into Judah, and they went smiting one another. And the sons of Ammon and Moab proceeded to stand up against the inhabitants of the mountainous region of Seir to devote them to destruction and annihilate them; and as soon as they finished with the inhabitants of Seir, they helped each one to bring his own fellow to ruin.” (2 Chronicles 20:22, 23) The Judeans named that place the Low Plain of Beracah, Beracah meaning “Blessing.” In modern times too, Jehovah’s execution of judgment on his enemies will result in great blessings for his own people. 9 We may ask, Who in modern times are to receive an adverse judgment from Jehovah? To get the answer to that question, we have to return to Joel’s prophecy. Joel 3:3 speaks of enemies of his people who “would give the male child for a prostitute, and the female child they sold for wine.” Yes, they view God’s servants as far beneath them, their children worth no more than the hire of a prostitute or the cost of a jug of wine. They will have to answer for that.

Page 54

Index Joel Highlights from the Book of Joel -WT Library References

10 Equally worthy of judgment are those who commit spiritual harlotry. (Revelation 17:3-6) And especially reprehensible are those who nudge the political powers into persecuting Jehovah’s Witnesses and obstructing their activity, as some rabble-rousing religious leaders have been doing in Eastern Europe in recent times. Jehovah expresses his determination to act against such workers of iniquity.—Joel 3:4-8. “Sanctify War!” 11 Next, Jehovah calls on his people to proclaim a challenge among the nations: “Sanctify war! Arouse the powerful men! Let them draw near! Let them come up, all the men of war!” (Joel 3:9) This is a declaration of an unusual kind of warfare—righteous warfare. Jehovah’s loyal Witnesses rely on spiritual weapons as they respond to lying propaganda, counteracting falsehood with truth. (2 Corinthians 10:4; Ephesians 6:17) Soon, God will sanctify “the war of the great day of God the Almighty.” (Revelation 16:14) It will rid the earth of all opposers of God’s sovereignty. His people on earth will have no physical part therein. Literally and figuratively, they have ‘beaten swords into plowshares and spears into pruning shears.’ (Isaiah 2:4) In contrast, Jehovah challenges the opposing nations to do the reverse: “Beat your plowshares into swords and your pruning shears into lances.” (Joel 3:10) He invites them to throw their entire arsenal of war machines and modern armaments into the battle. But they cannot succeed, for the struggle and the victory belong to Jehovah! 12 In the early 1990’s, the nations declared that the Cold War was over. In view of that, has the United Nations’ primary goal of peace and security been achieved? Hardly! What do events in Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Iraq, Liberia, Rwanda, Somalia, and the former Yugoslavia tell us? In the words of Jeremiah 6:14, they are saying: “‘There is peace! There is peace!’ when there is no peace.” 13 Even though outright war has ceased in some places, member nations of the UN still compete with one another in manufacturing sophisticated weapons of war. Some continue to maintain stockpiles of nuclear weapons. Others develop chemical or bacteriological weapons of mass destruction. As those nations gather to the symbolic location called Armageddon, he challenges them: “As for the weak one, let him say: ‘I am a powerful man.’ Lend your aid and come, all you nations round about, and collect yourselves together.” Joel then breaks in with his own appeal: “To that place, O Jehovah, bring your powerful ones down.”—Joel 3:10, 11. Jehovah Protects His Own 14 Who are Jehovah’s powerful ones? Some 280 times in the Bible, the true God is called “Jehovah of armies.” (2 Kings 3:14) These armies are the angelic hosts of heaven that stand ready to do Jehovah’s bidding. When the Syrians sought to seize Elisha, Jehovah finally opened the eyes of Elisha’s attendant so that he could see why they would not succeed: “Look! the mountainous region was full of horses and war chariots of fire all around Elisha.” (2 Kings 6:17) Jesus said that he could have appealed to his Father for “more than twelve legions of angels.” (Matthew 26:53) Describing Jesus’ riding forth to execute judgment at Armageddon, Revelation states: “The armies that were in heaven were following him on white horses, and they were clothed in white, clean, fine linen. And out of his mouth there protrudes a sharp long sword, that he may strike the nations with it, and he will shepherd them with a rod of iron. He treads too the winepress of the anger of the wrath of God the Almighty.” (Revelation 19:14, 15) That symbolic winepress is described in vivid terms as “the great winepress of the anger of God.”—Revelation 14:17-

Page 55

Index Joel Highlights from the Book of Joel -WT Library References

20. 15 How, then, does Jehovah answer Joel’s petition to bring God’s own powerful ones down? It is in these graphic words: “Let the nations be aroused and come up to the low plain of Jehoshaphat; for there I shall sit in order to judge all the nations round about. Thrust in a sickle, for harvest has grown ripe. Come, descend, for the winepress has become full. The press vats actually overflow; for their badness has become abundant. Crowds, crowds are in the low plain of the decision, for the day of Jehovah is near in the low plain of the decision. Sun and moon themselves will certainly become dark, and the very stars will actually withdraw their brightness. And out of Zion Jehovah himself will roar, and out of Jerusalem he will give forth his voice. And heaven and earth certainly will rock.”—Joel 3:12-16. 16 As surely as the name Jehoshaphat means “Jehovah Is Judge,” just as surely God, Jehovah, will fully vindicate his sovereignty when he executes judgment. The prophecy describes those who receive an adverse judgment as ‘crowds, crowds in the low plain of the decision.’ Any remaining advocates of false religion will be among those crowds. Included also will be those described in the second Psalm—the nations, national groups, kings of earth, and high officials—who have preferred the corrupt system of this world to ‘serving Jehovah with fear.’ These decline to “kiss the son.” (Psalm 2:1, 2, 11, 12) They do not acknowledge Jesus as Jehovah’s associate King. Further, the crowds marked for destruction will include all the people whom that glorious King will judge to be “goats.” (Matthew 25:33, 41) When it is Jehovah’s due time to roar out of the heavenly Jerusalem, his appointed King of kings will ride forth to execute that judgment. Heaven and earth certainly will rock! However, we are assured: “Jehovah will be a refuge for his people, and a fortress for the sons of Israel.”—Joel 3:16. 17 Revelation 7:9-17 identifies those who survive the great tribulation as “a great crowd” made up of those who exercise faith in the ransoming power of Jesus’ blood. These find protection on Jehovah’s day, while the thronging crowds of Joel’s prophecy meet up with adverse judgment. Joel says to the survivors: “You people will have to know that I am Jehovah your God, residing in Zion my holy mountain,” Jehovah’s heavenly habitation.— Joel 3:17a. 18 The prophecy then informs us that the domain of God’s heavenly Kingdom “must become a holy place; and as regards strangers, they will no more pass through her.” (Joel 3:17b) In heaven and in the earthly realm of that heavenly Kingdom, there will be no strangers, for all will be united in pure worship. 19 Even today, an abundance of peace prevails among Jehovah’s people here on earth. Unitedly, they are proclaiming his judgments in over 230 lands and in more than 300 different languages. Their prosperity is beautifully prophesied by Joel: “It must occur in that day that the mountains will drip with sweet wine, and the very hills will flow with milk, and the very streambeds of Judah will all flow with water.” (Joel 3:18) Yes, Jehovah will continue to pour out on his praisers on earth an overflow of joyful blessings and prosperity and an increasing stream of precious truth. Jehovah’s sovereignty will have been fully vindicated in the low plain of decision, and joy will abound as he resides forever among his redeemed people.—Revelation 21:3, 4.

Page 56

Index Joel Highlights from the Book of Joel -WT Library References

(Joel 3:13) Thrust in a sickle, for the harvest is ripe. Come down and tread, for the winepress is full. The vats overflow, for their badness is abundant.

*** it-1 p. 811 Farming Implements *** Sickles were used mainly for reaping standing grain, though the Bible also speaks of thrusting in the sickle to harvest the vine. (Joe 3:13; Re 14:18) The sickles that have been found in Israel are slightly curved. Some specimens consist of notched flint chips that were pieced together and set with bitumen into a frame of either wood or bone. Iron sickle blades have also been found, and these were fastened to a handle by means of rivets, a tang, or a socket.

*** it-2 p. 679 Press *** Common presses usually consisted of two shallow sinklike cavities cut out of natural limestone, the one on a higher level connected by a small channel to the lower one. (Nu 18:27, 30; 2Ki 6:27) The grapes or olives were trodden or crushed in the upper basin (gath, Ne 13:15), allowing the juices to flow by gravity into the lower vat (yeʹqev, Jg 7:25; Pr 3:10; Joe 2:24; Hag 2:16). In Joel 3:13 both terms occur: “Come, descend, for the winepress [gath] has become full. The press vats [ha·yeqa·vimʹ, plural of yeʹqev] actually overflow.”

*** re chap. 39 pp. 283-284 par. 18 The Warrior-King Triumphs at Armageddon *** 18 The prophet Joel associates a winepress with Jehovah’s coming to “judge all the nations round about.” And it is Jehovah who issues the command, no doubt to His associate Judge, Jesus, and his heavenly armies: “Thrust in a sickle, for harvest has grown ripe. Come, descend, for the winepress has become full. The press vats actually overflow; for their badness has become abundant. Crowds, crowds are in the low plain of the decision, for the day of Jehovah is near in the low plain of the decision. Sun and moon themselves will certainly become dark, and the very stars will actually withdraw their brightness. And out of Zion Jehovah himself will roar, and out of Jerusalem he will give forth his voice. And heaven and earth certainly will rock; but Jehovah will be a refuge for his people, and a fortress for the sons of Israel. And you people will have to know that I am Jehovah your God.”—Joel 3:12-17.

*** w92 5/1 p. 9 par. 5 Keep Close in Mind the Day of Jehovah *** 5 In defiance of the Sovereign Lord Jehovah, powerful rulers have built arsenals of frightful weapons—but in vain! Jehovah gives the order at Joel 3:13: “Thrust in a sickle, for harvest has grown ripe. Come, descend, for the winepress has become full. The press vats actually overflow; for their badness has become abundant.” Those words parallel Revelation 14:18-20, where an angel bearing a sharp sickle is commanded to “gather the clusters of the vine of the earth, because its grapes have become ripe.” The angel thrusts in his sickle and hurls those defiant nations “into the great winepress of the anger of God.” Figuratively, blood comes out of the winepress as high up as the bridles of the horses, for a distance of 1,600 furlongs—about 180 miles [300 km]! What a frightful prospect for

Page 57

Index Joel Highlights from the Book of Joel -WT Library References

nations that dishonor Jehovah!

*** w87 5/15 p. 19 par. 15 Listening to Jehovah as the End Draws Near *** 15 Joel 3:13-16 also refers to the survival of God’s servants when this system is crushed like grapes in a wine press. It states: “Thrust in a sickle, for harvest has grown ripe. . . . The press vats actually overflow; for their badness has become abundant. Crowds, crowds are in the low plain of the decision, for the day of Jehovah is near in the low plain of the decision. Sun and moon themselves will certainly become dark, and the very stars will actually withdraw their brightness. And out of [heavenly] Zion Jehovah himself will roar . . . Heaven and earth certainly will rock; but Jehovah will be a refuge for his people.”

*** w87 5/15 p. 18 Listening to Jehovah as the End Draws Near *** [Picture on page 18] When this system is crushed like grapes in a winepress, “Jehovah will be a refuge for his people” (Joel 3:14) Crowds, crowds are in the valley of the decision, For the day of Jehovah is near in the valley of the decision.

*** it-1 p. 1272 Jehoshaphat, Low Plain of *** JEHOSHAPHAT, LOW PLAIN OF

*** w07 10/1 p. 13 par. 3 Highlights From the Books of Joel and Amos *** 3:14—What is “the low plain of the decision”? It is a symbolic place for meting out God’s judgment. In the days of Judean King Jehoshaphat, whose name means “Jehovah Is Judge,” God delivered Judah from surrounding nations by confusing their military forces. Hence, the place is also called “the low plain of Jehoshaphat.” (Joel 3:2, 12) In our day, it represents a symbolic location in which nations will be crushed like grapes in a winepress.—Revelation 19:15.

*** w98 5/1 p. 19 par. 1 Judgment Executed in the Low Plain of Decision *** “CROWDS, crowds are in the low plain of the decision”! We read those stirring words at Joel 3:14. Why are these crowds assembled? Joel answers: “The day of Jehovah is near.”

Page 58

Index Joel Highlights from the Book of Joel -WT Library References

It is the great day of Jehovah’s vindication—the day for executing judgment on the multitudes who have rejected God’s established Kingdom under Christ Jesus. At long last, the “four angels” of Revelation chapter 7 are to release their tight hold on “the four winds of the earth,” resulting in “great tribulation such as has not occurred since the world’s beginning until now, no, nor will occur again.”—Revelation 7:1; Matthew 24:21.

*** w98 5/1 pp. 24-25 pars. 15-16 Judgment Executed in the Low Plain of Decision *** Crowds, crowds are in the low plain of the decision, for the day of Jehovah is near in the low plain of the decision. Sun and moon themselves will certainly become dark, and the very stars will actually withdraw their brightness. And out of Zion Jehovah himself will roar, and out of Jerusalem he will give forth his voice. And heaven and earth certainly will rock.”—Joel 3:12-16. 16 As surely as the name Jehoshaphat means “Jehovah Is Judge,” just as surely God, Jehovah, will fully vindicate his sovereignty when he executes judgment. The prophecy describes those who receive an adverse judgment as ‘crowds, crowds in the low plain of the decision.’ Any remaining advocates of false religion will be among those crowds. Included also will be those described in the second Psalm—the nations, national groups, kings of earth, and high officials—who have preferred the corrupt system of this world to ‘serving Jehovah with fear.’ These decline to “kiss the son.” (Psalm 2:1, 2, 11, 12) They do not acknowledge Jesus as Jehovah’s associate King. Further, the crowds marked for destruction will include all the people whom that glorious King will judge to be “goats.” (Matthew 25:33, 41)

*** w92 5/1 pp. 8-9 Keep Close in Mind the Day of Jehovah *** Keep Close in Mind the Day of Jehovah “The day of Jehovah is near in the low plain of the decision.”—JOEL 3:14.

Page 59

Index Joel Highlights from the Book of Joel -WT Library References

3 The corrupt system on earth must face up to that decision. But is the world system really that bad? One look at its record should suffice! Jesus stated a principle at Matthew 7:16: “By their fruits you will recognize them.” Have not the world’s great cities become cesspools of drugs, crime, terror, immorality, and pollution? In many lands newly found freedoms are being stifled by political confusion, food shortages, and poverty. More than a billion people live on starvation rations. Further, the AIDS epidemic, fueled by drugs and immoral life-styles, casts a dark cloud over a great part of the earth. Particularly since World War I exploded in 1914, there has been deterioration on a worldwide scale in every aspect of life.—Compare 2 Timothy 3:1-5. 4 However, Jehovah has been gathering out of all the nations a people who gladly receive instruction about his ways and walk in his paths. This globe-encircling people has beaten swords into plowshares, renouncing the violent ways of the world. (Isaiah 2:2-4) Yes, swords into plowshares! But is this not the reverse of the cry that Jehovah causes to be proclaimed at Joel 3:9, 10? There we read: “Proclaim this, you people, among the nations, ‘Sanctify war! Arouse the powerful men! Let them draw near! Let them come up, all the men of war! Beat your plowshares into swords and your pruning shears into lances.’” Ah, here Jehovah is challenging the world’s rulers to bring their combined armed might against him at Armageddon. But they cannot succeed! They must go down in total defeat!— Revelation 16:16.

*** jd chap. 3 p. 31 par. 5 The Day of Jehovah—A Vital Theme *** That fear-inspiring day will likely be a day of celestial phenomena. “Sun and moon themselves will certainly become dark, and the very stars will actually withdraw their brightness.” (Joel 2:2, 11, 30, 31; 3:15;

*** w92 5/1 p. 10 Keep Close in Mind the Day of Jehovah *** Executing His Decision 7 In vivid figurative language, Jehovah gives this further description of the execution of his decision: “Sun and moon themselves will certainly become dark, and the very stars will actually withdraw their brightness. And out of Zion Jehovah himself will roar, and out of Jerusalem he will give forth his voice. And heaven and earth certainly will rock; but Jehovah will be a refuge for his people, and a fortress for the sons of Israel.” (Joel 3:15, 16) The apparently bright, prosperous condition of mankind will turn gloomy, foreboding, and this fragmenting world system will be rocked out of existence, devastated

Page 60

Index Joel Highlights from the Book of Joel -WT Library References

as by a great earthquake!—Haggai 2:20-22.

(Joel 3:16) And Jehovah will roar out of Zion, Out of Jerusalem he will raise his voice. And heaven and earth will rock; But Jehovah will be a refuge for his people, A fortress for the people of Israel.

*** km 7/13 p. 1 par. 3 Take as a Pattern the Prophets—Joel *** 3 “Jehovah Will Be a Refuge for His People.” (Joel 3:16): The rocking described in this verse could apply only to Jehovah’s execution of judgment during the great tribulation. We take comfort in knowing that Jehovah will deliver his faithful servants during that time. (Rev. 7:9, 14) As we engage in the preaching work and experience how Jehovah sustains and strengthens us, we build faith and endurance that will help us during the coming great tribulation.

*** re chap. 18 p. 108 par. 14 Earthquakes in the Lord’s Day *** And out of Zion Jehovah himself will roar, and out of Jerusalem he will give forth his voice. And heaven and earth certainly will rock; but Jehovah will be a refuge for his people, and a fortress for the sons of Israel.” (Joel 2:31; 3:14-16) This rocking could apply only to Jehovah’s execution of judgment during the great tribulation. (Matthew 24:21)

*** re chap. 24 p. 156 par. 7 A Sweet-and-Bitter Message *** Jehovah’s roaring prophetically heralds the regathering of spiritual Israel and the coming of the destructive “day of Jehovah.” (Hosea 11:10; Joel 3:14, 16; Amos 1:2; 3:7, 8)

*** w98 5/1 p. 25 pars. 16-17 Judgment Executed in the Low Plain of Decision *** When it is Jehovah’s due time to roar out of the heavenly Jerusalem, his appointed King of kings will ride forth to execute that judgment. Heaven and earth certainly will rock! However, we are assured: “Jehovah will be a refuge for his people, and a fortress for the sons of Israel.”—Joel 3:16. 17 Revelation 7:9-17 identifies those who survive the great tribulation as “a great crowd” made up of those who exercise faith in the ransoming power of Jesus’ blood. These find protection on Jehovah’s day, while the thronging crowds of Joel’s prophecy meet up with adverse judgment.

Page 61

Index Joel Highlights from the Book of Joel -WT Library References

as by a great earthquake!—Haggai 2:20-22.

*** w87 5/15 p. 18 Listening to Jehovah as the End Draws Near *** [Picture on page 18] When this system is crushed like grapes in a winepress, “Jehovah will be a refuge for his people” (Joel 3:17) And you will have to know that I am Jehovah your God, residing in Zion, my holy mountain. Jerusalem will become a holy place, And strangers will pass through her no more.

*** w98 5/1 p. 25 pars. 17-18 Judgment Executed in the Low Plain of Decision *** Joel says to the survivors: “You people will have to know that I am Jehovah your God, residing in Zion my holy mountain,” Jehovah’s heavenly habitation.—Joel 3:17a. 18 The prophecy then informs us that the domain of God’s heavenly Kingdom “must become a holy place; and as regards strangers, they will no more pass through her.” (Joel 3:17b) In heaven and in the earthly realm of that heavenly Kingdom, there will be no strangers, for all will be united in pure worship. (Joel 3:18) In that day the mountains will drip with sweet wine, The hills will flow with milk, And the streams of Judah will all flow with water. Out of the house of Jehovah a spring will flow, And it will irrigate the Valley of the Acacia Trees.

*** it-1 p. 36 Acacia *** It is interesting to note that the word seyal is Arabic for “torrent,” and the habitat of the acacia is in the torrent valleys, or wadis, down which water rushes during the rainy season and which are found in the otherwise arid, desert regions around the Dead Sea area and southward into the Arabian Desert and the Sinai Peninsula. Thus Joel’s prophecy (3:18) says: “Out of the house of Jehovah there will go forth a spring, and it must irrigate the torrent valley of the Acacia Trees,” which is clearly a place that would otherwise usually be dry. (See SHITTIM No. 2.)

*** it-2 p. 444 Mount, Mountain *** For mountains to “drip with sweet wine” means that the vineyards occupying their slopes would produce abundantly.—Joe 3:18; Am 9:13.

Page 62

Index Joel Highlights from the Book of Joel -WT Library References

*** it-2 p. 935 Shittim *** 2. If it designates a particular torrent valley, “the torrent valley of the Acacia Trees” (Shittim) may be the lower course of the torrent valley of Kidron.—Joe 3:18.

*** w99 3/1 p. 19 pars. 4-5 Jehovah’s Blessing on Our “Land” *** 4 This beautiful prophecy may have reminded the Jewish exiles of another prophecy recorded more than two centuries earlier: “Out of the house of Jehovah there will go forth a spring, and it must irrigate the torrent valley of the Acacia Trees.” (Joel 3:18) Joel’s prophecy, like Ezekiel’s, foretells that a river would flow from God’s house, the temple, and bring life to an arid region. 5 The Watchtower has long held that Joel’s prophecy is being fulfilled in our time. Surely, then, the same holds true for Ezekiel’s similar vision. In the restored land of God’s people today, just as in ancient Israel, Jehovah’s blessings have indeed flowed forth.

*** w99 3/1 p. 19 Jehovah’s Blessing on Our “Land” *** This torrent valley may refer to the Valley of Kidron, which extends southeast from Jerusalem and ends at the Dead Sea. Its lower course in particular is waterless and dry year-round.

*** w98 5/1 p. 25 par. 19 Judgment Executed in the Low Plain of Decision *** 19 Even today, an abundance of peace prevails among Jehovah’s people here on earth. Unitedly, they are proclaiming his judgments in over 230 lands and in more than 300 different languages. Their prosperity is beautifully prophesied by Joel: “It must occur in that day that the mountains will drip with sweet wine, and the very hills will flow with milk, and the very streambeds of Judah will all flow with water.” (Joel 3:18) Yes, Jehovah will continue to pour out on his praisers on earth an overflow of joyful blessings and prosperity and an increasing stream of precious truth. Jehovah’s sovereignty will have been fully vindicated in the low plain of decision, and joy will abound as he resides forever among his redeemed people.—Revelation 21:3, 4.

Page 63

Index Joel